Four large police teams headed by Hooghly (rural) police chief Tathagata Basu raided at least two dozen villages in Khanakul block, Arambagh subdivision, to recover firearms and bombs, and arrested six criminals on Wednesday night, after chief minister Mamata Banerjee on August 24 pulled up the police for its failure to rein in violence in Arambagh.

The police recovered 72 bombs, six firearms, 30 bullets. All six persons who were arrested had criminal backgrounds.

During her district review meeting through videoconferencing on August 24, Mamata had questioned the regular clashes in Arambagh, Hooghly district, and asked “SP Tathagata” to take control of the situation.

“SP Tathagata…tomar okhane prai prai gondogol hoi keno? Samlate paro na naki? Ar jeno kono gondogol na hoi, take care (SP Tathagata, why disturbances are frequently reported in your area? You can’t control the situation? Take care there are no further disturbances),” Mamata had said.

Police sources said Mamata had pointed to incidents of violence and political clashes in Arambagh in August that claimed the lives of two persons.

On August 6, a Trinamul worker was killed as crude bombs were hurled on him allegedly during a clash with another faction of the party.

On August 15, a BJP worker was killed in a clash between BJP and Trinamul workers over Independence Day celebrations at the same venue. Sources said had the police intervened sooner the clash could have been avoided.

Trinamul leaders said the chief minister wanted to rein in violence in the run up to Bengal Assembly polls in Hooghly district where the BJP has managed to build its organisation. Khanakul, Jangipara and Arambagh in Hooghly have always been in the news for political violence since the time of the Left Front.

“The BJP has made inroads in the district and violence gives the saffron camp an opportunity to launch protests. These incidents have to stop,” said a Trinamul leader.

Police sources said they arrested one Hemanta Samanta from Durgapur village of Khanakul and recovered four one-shutter improvised pistols from him. Of the other five arrested, arms were recovered from two more criminals.

“We selected pockets in violence-prone police stations, including Khanakul, Jangipara and Arambagh. We started with Khanakul on Wednesday night and our raids will continue for seven consecutive days, and then we will move to other areas,” said Basu.

Asked if his action came after Mamata’s order, Basu said: “We always take action when a clash or incident takes place. But we launched a bigger drive after the chief minister pointed it out at the review meeting.”