Berhampore: A day after he and his son, Golam Nabi Azad, withdrew from campaigning for Rejinagar bypoll, Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir said on Monday he apprehends arrest ahead of Oct 6 elections. Questioned by police for four and a half hours, Kabir was summoned again to appear on Sept 23. He lodged a complaint with Election Commission, alleging Bengal Police is selectively targeting AJUP functionaries.After leaving his Manikyahar village home at 8:45 am, Kabir told reporters at his Berhampore apartment: “I have seen a police notice and realised they summoned me as a witness. However, I could easily be framed and arrested, just as they are indiscriminately arresting my party colleagues.”Following his interrogation at Berhampore police station, which began at 11 am, Kabir confirmed he answered all questions from three sub-inspectors, including investigating officer Rabindranath Biswas.Referring to an intercepted phone call regarding the proposed Babri Masjid site in Murshidabad — which led to an FIR — Kabir explained: “Sarafraj Nawaj Chowdhury called me on Sunday at 9:20 pm, asking if we installed CCTVs along the proposed Babri Masjid boundary wall. He claimed placing BJP flags there would anger local Muslims. I did not endorse this plan and hung up.”After receiving two more calls from Chowdhury, Kabir learned of his arrest. “I emailed Murshidabad superintendent of police making it clear I do not support inciting political tension and will assist police. Babri Masjid issue has received national publicity, and a Lucknow resident announced a Rs 1 crore reward for my decapitation. With pending cases in Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court, why would I agree to such a childish plot?”In his EC complaint, Kabir highlighted arrests of AJUP Beldanga-1 block president Munaim Sheikh and state committee secretary Sukhbar Mollah, claiming they were falsely implicated. He demanded immediate transfer of Murshidabad superintendent of police and Beldanga and Rejinagar inspectors-in-charge.Meanwhile, Republican Party of India (Athawale) lodged an FIR against Kabir. Party state chief Raju Ghosh said: “Kabir threatened to hit the streets on Oct 6 to resist vote rigging, remarking up to 10 people might be killed. He should be taken into custody.”Rebel TMC MP Abu Taher Khan added: “Kabir does not know the limits of propriety in speech. It is best not to react to his every statement.”
