AJUP Leader Humayun Kabir Arrested Amid Voting Disputes in West Bengal
Arrest of AJUP Founder During Rejinagar Bypoll
Screengrab shows Aam Janata Unnayan Party founder Humayun Kabir detained by police personnel in Rejinagar, Bengal following a heated altercation during voting in Assembly bypoll(Photo: IANS)
Kolkata, Oct 6: Humayun Kabir, the founder of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) and a sitting MLA, was taken into custody on Tuesday after he allegedly threatened law enforcement and Central forces, claiming that the ruling BJP and local police were engaging in electoral misconduct during the voting process in the Rejinagar Assembly Constituency in Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
Following multiple confrontations with the police officers assigned for security, Kabir was arrested and transported to the Rejinagar Police Station. Reports indicate that he was seen gripping a West Bengal Police sub-inspector by the collar during the altercations.
This election cycle, Kabir's son, Golam Nabi Azad, is contesting as the AJUP candidate in Rejinagar.
Earlier this year, Kabir secured victories in both the Naoda and Rejinagar Assembly seats in Murshidabad. He opted to retain the Naoda seat, prompting the need for a bypoll in Rejinagar.
As a voter in Rejinagar, Kabir arrived at the polling station in the morning with family to cast his vote. After leaving the booth, he spoke to the media and issued threats of confrontation with the police and Central forces.
“The police have surrounded my residence since morning. If they come to assault us, will we let them go? We will stand against them with sticks,” Kabir declared.
He further accused the district police of harassing voters in Rejinagar, particularly from minority communities, since the announcement of the bypoll dates.
“Voters' homes have been vandalized and looted. There have even been attempts to violate the dignity of women voters. It appears that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has unleashed his Alsatian dogs at all polling booths in Rejinagar. We will not permit the ruling party to infringe upon the voting rights of the public using police force. I urge the people of Rejinagar to confront the police with sticks,” Kabir stated.
A competitive race is anticipated in Rejinagar, where over 65% of the electorate belongs to minority communities. This election features a six-way contest among the BJP, AJUP, Congress, Mamata All India Trinamool Congress, Democratic Trinamool Congress, CPI(M), and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP).
In total, there are 14 candidates vying for the seat in Rejinagar, with 34 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed to ensure security during the elections.