Police in Malda foiled a robbery bid and arrested three persons, including the son of a block Trinamul leader, with firearms and ammunition from Dharampur bus stand under Manikchak police station of the district on Saturday night.

Trinamul leaders tried to distance themselves from the incident. BJP leaders have lambasted the ruling party.

Police sources said a team of Manikchak police raided a mango plantation near Dharampur bus stand based on a tip-off that a gang of around 20 had come to the spot to hatch a plan for a robbery.

“Although some escaped from the spot, we could arrest three persons. Two firearms, four rounds of live cartridges and a sharp weapon have been recovered from them,” said a police officer.

Those arrested have been identified as Kornel Anwar, Kashim Sheikh and Nur Hossain.

Among them, Anwar is the son of Sheikh Saifuddin, a Trinamul leader and member of Manikchak panchayat samiti.

“Saifuddin was also one of those accused in a violent factional clash that left many people injured and homeless in the last week of May,” said a source.

BJP leaders of Manikchak accused Trinamul of harbouring criminals and also alleged that Anwar had been involved in a recent incident of bombing at Balutola village.

Saifuddin was not available for comments on Sunday. Calls to him from this newspaper went unanswered. Subhamay Bose, the district Trinamul spokesperson, however, tried to distance the party from Anwar’s arrest.

“Our party does not ask anyone to commit crimes. Those who break the law will face consequences,” Bose said.