Kharibari, 23rd August: Police have arrested two more individuals for allegedly occupying and illegally selling government land near the India-Nepal border. The arrested individuals have been identified as Digen Sinha and Uttam Barman, both are known to be Trinamool Congress leaders.
According to sources, the Mechi Market Traders’ Welfare Association had taken 7.92 acres of land on lease from the state government in 2020. However, allegations have emerged that around 3.61 acres of government land outside the leased area were illegally occupied and sold.
On August 8, Phansidewa BJP MLA Durga Murmu lodged a complaint alleging that government land had been illegally occupied and sold to several people using forged documents, allegedly generating crores of rupees.
Based on the complaint, police had earlier arrested Handru Oraon. Oraon is known in the area as the president of the Mechi Market Traders’ Welfare Association, a former Pradhan, and a Trinamool Congress leader.
According to police sources, the two latest arrests were made following the interrogation of Handru Oraon. Both accused will be produced before the Siliguri Court on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the accused have maintained that they were not associated with the Mechi Market Traders’ Welfare Association. They have alleged that they were arrested solely because they are Trinamool Congress workers.