Calcutta High Court on Friday issued an order restraining police from taking coercive measures against 28 Kurmis contesting the panchayat polls till July 15.

Moving the petition on behalf of the 28 candidates contesting from Khatra and Simlipal in Bankura and West Midnapore, respectively, counsel Rajdeep Majumdar informed Justice Rajasekhar Mantha that the Kurmi community had started a movement for their constitutional recognition as Scheduled Tribe.

“As a part of the movement, the Kurmis have been taking part in agitational programmes that included blocking roads and railway tracks. Many cases have been lodged against them at various police stations,” the lawyer said.

The lawyer said 28 petitioners were contesting the panchayat polls and they apprehended arrest prior to the July 8 voting.

“So, the court should give them protection,” Majumdar pleaded with Justice Mantha.

After hearing their prayer, Justice Mantha passed an order restraining the police from taking coercive measures against them till July 15.

Interim relief

Justice Rajashekhar Mantha issued an interim order restraining police from taking any coercive measure against Bishnupur BJP MP Saumitra Khan till July 15.

The MP had moved the court seeking anticipatory bail as he apprehended arrest in connection with the gherao of Bankura’s Sonamukhi police station in April.