Trinamool MPs Protesting Dragged, Detained By Cops Outside Poll Body Office

The footage from the scene depicted the police engaging in physical altercations with Members of Parliament (MPs), forcibly moving and transporting them onto a waiting bus. The detained MPs, expressing concerns over the “misuse of central agencies” by the ruling BJP-led Central government, have called for the immediate replacement of the heads of four central investigation agencies. They stated their intention to continue their 24-hour sit-in from within the police station, where some of them were placed under protective custody.

The delegation of MPs was led by the party’s Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien, and included MPs such as Dola Sen, Sagarika Ghosh, Saket Gokhale, and Shantanu Sen. They had pledged to hold a 24-hour protest outside the Commission’s office, and the police intervened an hour into their sit-in when the leaders declined repeated requests to leave after meeting with the poll commissioners. Mr. O’Brien, speaking from the police station, emphasized their commitment to continuing the 24-hour sit-in, despite the injuries and medical conditions of some of the MPs.

The MPs have accused the central agencies of targeting opposition leaders in the run-up to the general election, stating that the arrests made by the agencies are politically motivated. They have specifically called for the replacement of the chiefs of the four central agencies, citing instances of raids and arrests without informing local authorities and alleging harassment and misconduct during these operations. The protest follows a warning from Prime Minister Narendra Modi about intensifying action against corruption after the election results are announced on June 4.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee voiced defiance against the BJP’s alleged use of agencies for political purposes, emphasizing that her party is not intimidated. Additionally, senior Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee raised concerns about the treatment of women MPs during the incident and questioned the Election Commission’s inaction regarding evidence presented to them.