Kolkata, 14 February (H.S.) : A substantial quantity of banned cough syrup was seized in Dinhata of Cooch Behar district, leading to the arrest of a local BJP leader on charges of alleged involvement in trafficking. The incident triggered tension in the Sahebganj police station area on Friday.

According to police sources, 79 bottles of the prohibited cough syrup Phensedyl were recovered during a late-night operation in the Sahebganj area on Thursday. One person, identified as Sukumar Barman, was arrested in connection with the seizure. He is a resident of the Shildwar area in Sitai.

District BJP president Abhijit Barman alleged that the arrest was politically motivated. He claimed that when party members initially sought clarification from the police administration, the arrest was denied. Barman further accused leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress of orchestrating false drug trafficking cases against BJP leaders and workers with police assistance ahead of the elections to keep active party members behind bars.

Refuting the allegations, Trinamool Congress MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia said that the law would take its own course irrespective of political affiliation. He stated that whether the accused belongs to the Trinamool Congress or the BJP, anyone found involved in drug trafficking must face legal consequences. He also rejected claims that the ruling party was misusing the police to target opposition workers.

Police have initiated a case and further investigation into the matter is underway.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh