The FIR against the NIA team was lodged under sections 354 (molestation) and 441 (trespassing) of IPC. According to sources, the police received a complaint that NIA officials molested women by breaking the doors of their houses late at night.
Denying any “mala fide in its recent actions” in Bhupatinagar, NIA on Sunday refuted the allegations of “unlawful actions levelled against it” and dismissed the entire controversy as “unfortunate”.
NIA reiterated that “its team had come under violent attack by a mob when they had gone to conduct searches in Naruabila village on Saturday”. “The attack was unprovoked and uncalled for, and an attempt to obstruct NIA from carrying out its lawful duties,” the agency said. It pointed out that the searches were conducted at five locations in the presence of independent witnesses, and under the security cover provided by CRPF, which included lady constables. The arrests were made after following all lawful procedures, NIA said in a statement.
The NIA statement said that “an aggressive crowd had assaulted the NIA personnel who were taking Manobrata Jana to the local police station for completing legal formalities. One NIA official sustained injuries and an official vehicle of the NIA was damaged in the attack”.
Slamming central agencies, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said at a public rally in Purulia on Sunday that when women were sleeping, NIA entered their houses and then FIR was lodged by NIA against the mothers and women when they protested. “NIA, CBI, ED and IT are acting at the behest of BJP,” Banerjee said. She claimed BJP was booking all the rest houses, lodges and helipads, depriving Trinamool, which was affecting the level-playing field.”NIA is enquiring at the guest houses to know if any TMC leader was staying there. It is keeping us under surveillance,” she alleged.
