Kolkata, 17 July (H.S.): The police have arrested Trinamool Congress leader Subid Ali Dhali alias Jharo, who had allegedly been absconding since the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results, during a raid in South 24 Parganas' Jibantala area.

Acting on a tip-off, Jibantala Police raided Khagra village and arrested Dhali along with his associate Monirul Pailan. The police said two illegal country-made firearms and two rounds of live ammunition were recovered during the operation. Both accused were produced before the court on Friday, and investigators have sought their custody for further interrogation.

Dhali, a functionary of the Gosaba block Trinamool Congress, is facing multiple allegations, including illegal land grabbing, extortion, forcible occupation of fisheries, collection of commissions from funds under the MGNREGA scheme, and intimidation of political opponents. The police are investigating the various complaints against him.

Local residents have also levelled serious allegations that Dhali amassed vast properties, including agricultural land, fish farms and residential buildings, through illegal means after the Trinamool Congress came to power. They have further accused him of forcibly marrying Hindu women and grabbing their properties. These allegations have not yet been independently verified.

The police said the investigation is continuing, and further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected. No official response from Dhali or the Trinamool Congress had been received at the time of filing this report.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey