ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui, 94 others granted bail by Bankshall Court day after protest against SIR, Waqf Bill
On Wednesday, tensions rose when thousands of ISF supporters gathered at Esplanade over issues of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, SIR (special intensive revision), Bengali migrants allegedly being manhandled in other states for speaking Bengali, and the non-declaration of joint examination results.
Since Thursday morning, ISF supporters had been holding protests outside the court demanding their release, while a heavy police deployment was in place both inside and outside the compound to prevent any untoward incident. The police were seen making announcements asking protesters to maintain peace and not take the law into their hands.
Ninety-four protesters were brought in five prison vans to the court, while Siddiqui was brought in a police car. Before entering court, Siddiqui told mediapersons, 'Fight will go on, SIR has to be stopped, harassment of common man has to be stopped. The people of Bengal will give a befitting reply, the police cannot stop Naushad Siddiqui.'
Police had sought judicial custody for all. During the hearing, Chief Public Prosecutor Abhijit Chatterjee opposed bail, saying, 'There are non-bailable sections thus opposing the bail, we are seeking jail custody for all the accused.'
Meanwhile, Siddiqui's counsel Firdous Shamim argued, 'They had just gone to voice their thoughts on the OBC issue. The MLA gets Central security. Throughout the state, due to OBC students being unable to join colleges, advocates, teachers, all were there in the protest, they wanted to talk about the situation. Police attacked the protesters, the MLA's clothes were torn and (he was) manhandled. We want bail, and will cooperate with the investigation.'
The court granted bail on a personal bond of Rs 500.
A scuffle broke out between police and supporters. Using 'minimum force,' police detained Siddiqui along with 94 others under three police sections. Kolkata Police DC (Central) Indira Mukherjee told mediapersons, 'We had to use minimum force to lift the blockade by the ISF to facilitate movement of traffic in the busy thoroughfare.' She claimed there was no report of injury to anyone.
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