By Moyurie Som
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday said it arrested the “suspected co-conspirator” in the case relating to the violence that took place during the Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal’s Hooghly district.
Violence had broken out during celebrations in the Barao Masjid area under Serampore police station limits on April 2, 2023.
The NIA had arrested Qamran Quraishi alias Sharukh Qureshi, a Serampore resident, on Tuesday. He was the first accused to be arrested by the NIA.
The State police had arrested 48 persons in the case and all are currently out on bail, the NIA said.
The NIA booked Mr. Qureshi under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act, Arms Act, Police Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Three swords and ash-coloured powder were also seized from the accused. According to the NIA’s statement, the powder smelled like gunpowder and was wrapped in a newspaper hidden in a black polythene bag. The bag was found inside mobile phone boxes, the NIA said.
This story was originally published in thehindu.com. Read the full story here.
