Bengal BJP president and Union junior minister Sukanta Majumdar was arrested on Wednesday as a “preventive” measure at Krishnanagar, Nadia, while he was on his way to trouble-torn Beldanga in Murshidabad that had been on the boil for the past few days following a clash between two communities on November 16.

Majumdar’s convoy was intercepted around noon near the Dwijendralal bridge on NH12, on the outskirts of Krishnanagar town, by a police team led by the additional superintendent of police (rural), Uttam Ghosh. This led to protests by BJP supporters, who blocked the road causing a major traffic snarl for about two hours on NH12.

Prior to that, the police had restricted traffic to avoid any law and order problems on the highway’s stretch between Krishnanagar and Dhubulia.

Following a heated exchange, the police arrested Majumdar and escorted him to Krishnanagar police station. He was released an hour later on a personal recognizance bond, according to senior police officers. Majumdar subsequently returned to Calcutta, where BJP supporters had hit the streets to protest the arrest of the Balurghat MP.

The police said Majumdar’s visit to Beldanga, where prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in place, could have aggravated the tense situation. The Internet has been suspended across the Murshidabad district

“His movement towards Beldanga, a troubled zone, was deemed unwanted and could have disrupted peace,” a senior officer explained.

The preventive action was taken under Section 170 of the BNSS, which allows arrests to avert potential cognizable offences.

Despite being stopped, Majumdar insisted on proceeding to Beldanga, prompting his arrest. “Violating prohibitory orders is a clear basis for such action,” the officer added.

Majumdar expressed frustration over the police action, accusing the authorities of acting unlawfully.

“I was heading to Beldanga to review the situation, but the police stopped me 60km away in Krishnanagar. They arrested me under Section 163 of the BNSS, even though the restrictions were in place far from where I was detained. I even asked them to escort me to the district magistrate or SP’s office in Berhampore, but they refused,” Majumdar, sitting on the road, told reporters.

He also alleged a larger political conspiracy.

“The Bengal government is turning Beldanga into Bangladesh by giving free rein to infiltrators who spread terror. I will visit the town as soon as these restrictions are lifted,” he said.

He added that those who threatened people and spread hatred to incite people through social media were yet to be arrested.

The situation in Beldanga escalated on Saturday night after clashes broke out between two communities over an objectionable message displayed on a temporary gate erected for Kartik Puja. At least 20 people were injured and properties were damaged during the violence.

Several residents accused the police of not acting in time and blamed them for the violent incidents going out of control.

“They attacked peaceful protesters from both communities, while those who provoked the flare-up and instigated violent incidents were not acted against,” said a Beldanga resident.

However, a senior police officer in Beldanga rejected the allegations.

“On receiving complaints, we acted promptly. After the violence took place, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders, suspended Internet services and deployed additional police to prevent the spread of rumours. At least 17 persons have been arrested on charges of arson and rioting,” the cop said.

By Wednesday, the situation in Beldanga had largely stabilised, with shops and businesses reopening. A senior district official indicated that Internet services might be restored on Thursday if the situation remained normal.

Responding to Majumdar’s allegation, a senior Trinamool Congress leader said the BJP was trying to communalise the situation when the ruling party had been working for harmony.

Apurbo Sarkar, Trinamool MLA from Kandi and the party’s Murshidabad-Berhampore organising district committee president, said: “It is good to see that BJP leaders like Sukanta Majumdar have woken up from their slumber after three days since tension erupted in Beldanga. At a time when our leaders have been tirelessly trying to restore peace and normalcy, BJP leaders have been trying to unleash fresh tension. There is no one from Bangladesh in Beldanga, rather BJP leaders should find a state for their shelter, instead of creating a division in the society based on religion. The police have rightly prevented him from entering Beldanga today to avert further tension”.

Additional reporting by Alamgir Hossain