BJP MLA arrested for involvement in arson

Bhariach, Aug 2: Tension gripped the city on Saturday, August 2 after BJP MLA Sureshwar Singh was arrested for his alleged involvement in leading a mob at Nateralaka village under Kherighat police station, in which six people including two women were injured and 27 houses torched.

BJP activists agitating against the arrest of Mr Singh, MLA from Maheshi assembly constituency, even demonstrated at Kotwali police station and blocked the roads in the city.

The MLA was arrested from his residence early this morning, along with 16 other BJP activists, on the charges of rioting, attempt to murder and looting.

The BJP activists had reportedly attacked families of a particular community in Naterakala village yesterday, after two sacks of raw flesh were recovered on Thursday. The mob alleged that the sacks contained raw cow flesh.

Superintendent of Police Rajesh Modak told here that FIR has been registered against 16 named people, including the MLA, and 250 others in the arson at the village yesterday.

He said due to the agitation by the BJP activists after the arrest of the MLA, additional police force has been deployed in the town and the affected village.

The SP said the people, who were injured in the arson, have been admitted to the hospital while compensation will be given to the people whose houses have been razed.

The MLA had alleged that he has been framed in the case as he was not present during the arson.

''The police was trying to cover up the incident of recovery of raw flesh and was implicating the BJP activists,'' he charged.

UNI