Malda violence mastermind arrested at airport; NIA also begins probe in judicial officer hostage case

Within 48 hours of the violence in West Bengal's Malda, the police have arrested the mastermind Mofakkarul Islam. Mofakkarul was nabbed from Bagdogra airport where he was on the run. Mofakkarul is an advocate in the Calcutta High Court and was an AIMIM candidate in 2011. Mofakkarul is accused of making provocative speeches at a protest in Malda's Sujapur on April 1. This enraged the public and thousands of people surrounded the BDO office in Kaliachowk. Two gates were closed, due to which seven judicial officers were trapped inside for 9 hours. They were evacuated late at night. Malda violence accused's provocative statement; VIDEO: Protests for two days in Malda violence... April 1: Protest in the afternoon, officials held hostage in the evening The protest in Malda started earlier in the day outside the Kaliachak 2 Block Development Office. Which continued till late at night. The protesters initially demanded a meeting with judicial officials. Not allowed to enter, they started the protest around 4 p.m. and surrounded the premises. The officers were held hostage for more than 9 hours. Police on Thursday arrested 17 people, including an election candidate, in connection with the case. Indian Secular Front (ISF) candidate Maulana Shahjahan Ali and 16 others were arrested and produced before a district court, from where they were remanded in police custody for 10 days. April 2: Protests continue for the second consecutive day in Malda after the Kaliachak incident in several districts. A crowd gathered in front of the BSF camp in Narayanpur on Thursday. People blocked National Highway-12. Tyres were set on fire on the road. In Malda, Jalpaiguri, Behar and Purba Bardhaman, protesters burnt tyres, blocked roads and took out silent processions; These places will go to polls on April 23. The matter reached the Supreme Court, the CJI said, "We know who the rioters are, the Supreme Court acted on this and termed the incident as an "audacious and deliberate attempt" to obstruct the administration of justice. A bench headed by CJI Surya Kant expressed concern over the fact that despite prior information, the state authorities failed to provide security in time, due to which the officials had to go without food for hours. The court said, "He was held hostage for nine hours. There was no food or drink. The incident seems well-planned and provocative. We know who the rioters are, their aim is to break the morale of judicial officials and obstruct the election process. "The siege began at 3.30 pm, with the Registrar General of the High Court requesting the state administration to take immediate action," the court said. Nothing was done till 8:30 p.m. The registrar general then contacted the home secretary and the DGP. No action was taken despite assuring the chief justice of the high court of speedy action. The Home Secretary and the DGP reached the Chief Justice's residence at 12 midnight. Judicial officers were released at 12 a.m. Even on the way home, their vehicles were attacked with bricks and sticks. The CJI condemned the delay in the action of the state administration. "We were disappointed to see that the secretary of state could not be contacted," he said. The court has issued show-cause notices to the West Bengal Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and Director General of Police. The bench has sought an explanation from all for not taking its action. The court came down heavily on the state administration over the incident and remarked that West Bengal is the most polarised state.