MALDA HOSTAGE CRISIS: AIMIM LEADER MOFAKKARUL ISLAM ARRESTED AT BAGDOGRA AIRPORT

The West Bengal CID has arrested Mofakkarul Islam, a local AIMIM leader and practicing lawyer, who is identified as the mastermind behind the 9-hour hostage situation in Malda. Islam was caught at Bagdogra Airport on Friday morning, April 3, while reportedly trying to escape the state. This arrest came after significant public outcry and intervention from the Supreme Court. Seven judicial officers, including three women, were held hostage without food or water at the Block-II office in Kaliachak. They were serving as Election Registration Officers for the Special Intensive Revision of the voter list when an angry mob, allegedly stirred up by Islam’s speeches, surrounded the building to protest the removal of names from the electoral rolls.

The Supreme Court described the incident as a complete failure of civil and police administration. The judicial officers were trapped from 3:30 PM Wednesday until a large police team rescued them at 1:00 AM Thursday. Evidence, including viral videos of Islam speaking to the crowd from a car bumper, indicates he played a key role in escalating the protests. In light of the deplorable situation, the NIA and CBI are investigating the violence, and 35 individuals are already in custody. Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and the Supreme Court have issued show-cause notices to top state officials, including the DGP and Home Secretary, demanding an explanation for the security failure.

As West Bengal approaches its first phase of polling on April 23, the Malda crisis has become a national focus for electoral security. While the AIMIM leader claimed in a brief Facebook Live during his arrest that he was just protesting for the rights of deleted voters, the Election Commission has tightened assembly rules. They now require that no more than five people gather at adjudication centers going forward. The case is set for a high-stakes hearing on April 6, which is expected to establish a precedent for protecting judicial officers on election duty.

By Anupama Shaw