Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday ordered the arrest of Trinamul Rampurhat-I block president Anarul Hossain, 56, spreading panic among many Trinamul leaders from panchayat to block and district levels who lord over their turf.

During a meeting with family members of eight persons whose bodies were charred in the Monday night massacre at Rampurhat’s Bogtui, Mamata publicly ordered DGP Manoj Malaviya to arrest Anarul as he did not inform the police despite the family repeatedly contacting him over phone before the carnage.

“I don’t want to hear anything…Anarul will either surrender at the police station or you have to get Anarul from wherever he is. We need to know why he didn’t inform the police,” said Mamata.

Sources said within a few minutes of Mamata’s order a police team was sent to Anarul’s huge two-storey mansion near Sundipur village on the outskirts of Rampurhat town. A police officer called Anarul to know his location to take him in custody.

Later a police team led by subdivisional police officer Abhishek Ray raided a hotel in Tarapith and arrested Anarul.

Birbhum Trinamul chief Anubrata Mondal at a meeting with senior leaders at a Tarapith hotel deputed Syed Siraj Zimmi to replace Anarul.

Police sources said no case record was made so far but Anarul would be tagged with the case of carnage not directly but as an instigator — a part of a larger conspiracy.

“Charges against him are very crucial as a part of the bigger conspiracy. If conspiracy is proved, the accused would be punished same as the murderers,” said a senior advocate in the district.

Sources said Anarul was a mason in Rampurhat town till Trinamul came to power. In the past six years, he became a king-like figure.

“Anarul became used to the latest models of iPhones and costly motorbikes and cars. Before that he was just a mason and lived in a mud house,” said a Trinamul leader in Rampurhat.

Some Trinamul leaders said Anarul was ultimately a scapegoat.

A group of Anarul’s supporters on Thursday agitated before his house with a demand to free him immediately. A group of party workers also came to the Rampurhat party office with the same demand.

Murdered Trinamul leader Bhadu Sheikh’s family memberfs were also furious as Mamata did not speak to them.

His wife Tablia Biwi said: “He (Bhadu) did not eat alone but used to share it with many others.” Police sources said she was referring to the spoils of his illegal business.

Tablia however added she had faith in Mamata.

“Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today proved that the party would not spare its leaders if they commit crime. We have received calls from several leaders who are nervous,” said a senior Trinamul leader in Birbhum.

A senior Trinamul leader said many like Anarul and a few close relatives of MLAs had become crorepatis in the past few years. “Didi doesn't want this uncomfortable situation for the vested interest of a few,” a Trinamul leader said.