Police arrested three Indian Secular Front activists on Friday for their alleged involvement in the vandalism of at least three Trinamul Congress offices and setting one of those on fire in Bhangar during clashes that had occurred on Friday and Saturday.

Following the fresh arrests, the police have so far nabbed 51 ISF activists while a search is on for several other suspects. The ISF leadership in Bhangar termed the arrests as part of a “larger conspiracy” hatched by the ruling party being executed by the police to weaken their organization before gram panchayat elections.

Cops of Leather Complex police station arrested the three ISF activists from various locations in Bhangar early on Friday.

Police sources said those arrested had been identified on the basis of CCTV footage of violence. “They were also spotted during violent demonstrations in Calcutta on last Saturday,” a police officer said. Police sources said the trio took an active role in the arson in Bhangar last week.

The ISF has condemned the arrest terming it an act of police to “appease the ruling party”. “The police are working under the directions of the ruling party. So far, over 50 ISF supporters have been arrested, while the cops have spared Trinamul workers and leaders. The main conspirator of the violence Arabul Islam and his goons are roaming free. It appears the sole objective of the police is to weaken the ISF to help retain grounds,” an ISF leader said.

Tension erupted in Bhangar on Friday evening between erring supporters of the Trinamul and the ISF over hoisting a party flag at Hatishala area. Clashes continued further on Saturday when suspected ISF supporters vandalised three Trinamul offices and torched one.