Kolkata, June 29 (IANS) Three local Trinamool Congress leaders have been arrested on charges of extortion in the Mandirbazar area of West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, the police said on Monday.

The accused have been identified as Reshmi Piada of Krishnapur in South 24 Parganas, her husband Taimur Piada, and Abdur Razzak Halder. They will be produced before the Diamond Harbour sub-divisional court. Police are expected to seek their custody for further questioning.

A senior officer of the Sundarban Police District said, “The accused were arrested last (Sunday) night based on complaints lodged by local residents. An investigation is underway, and they will be produced before the court. We will seek police custody to take the investigation forward.”

According to the police, the three Trinamool Congress leaders are accused of extorting money from people by promising to secure benefits under various government welfare schemes in the Krishnapur gram panchayat area.

Investigators alleged that people were forced to pay money through intermediaries to obtain benefits under schemes such as housing, old-age pensions, road construction, and drinking water projects.

Several people alleged that without paying money, it would have been practically impossible to get their names listed in various government projects or to proceed with the work.

A formal complaint was lodged against the three accused last week.

Based on the complaint, officers of the Mandirbazar police station launched an investigation. During the probe, they found that Reshmi Piada, a resident of Dadpur village, her husband Taimur Piada, and Trinamool leader Abdur Razzak Halder were actively involved in the alleged extortion racket.

The police alleged that the trio collected large sums of money from numerous people by promising them benefits under government schemes. Investigators also claimed that the money collected was channelled through a well-organised network to different levels. The three were arrested at their homes on Sunday night.

Reacting to the arrests, local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kaushik Purkait said, “This is not an isolated incident. Organised loot has been carried out for a long time in the name of ‘cut money’, depriving common people of their rightful benefits. Many poor families were forced to part with their hard-earned money in the hope of receiving government assistance.”

He added, “We have repeatedly complained to the administration about this corruption. The police have finally been compelled to act. However, arresting only a few lower-level leaders is not enough. Those who masterminded this network and benefited from the cut money must also be brought to justice.”

–IANS

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