Trimool suspends arrested Bengal MLA for 'indiscipline'

Kolkata, September 16: West Bengal’s ruling Trimool Congress on Wednesday suspended on charges of “indiscipline” its legislator Dipak Haldar who was arrested for his alleged involvement in campus violence. Haldar, who represents Diamond Harbour assembly constituency in South 24 Pargas district, was on Monday arrested on the ‘orders’ of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly instigating violence at Fakir Chand College in his constituency. The legislator, who was granted bail on Tuesday, claimed he was not involved in the clash between rival factions of the Trimool’s students’ wing and was there only to pacify them and prevent the clash.

“The party has initiated an inquiry against Dipak Haldar for indiscipline and he shall remain suspended till the pendency of the inquiry,” party secretary general Partha Chatterjee said. Chatterjee, who is also the state education minister, on Monday had minced no words in condemning Haldar for his involvement in the clash. “Educatiol institutions are a domain of teachers and students and hooligans,” Chatterjee had said, informing about the chief minister directing the administration to arrest Haldar. The discipliry action comes a day after Haldar alleged that his arrest was a result of a conspiracy by his own partymen to malign his image before the party top leadership. Reacting to his suspension, Haldar said he was punished without being given an opportunity to be heard. “I accept the party’s decision with bowed head. But I still don’t know what indiscipline I committed. I regret my decision to go the Fakir Chand College that day (Monday) but, at least I should have been given an opportunity by the party to defend myself,” Haldar said on Wednesday, adding that he was yet to receive a formal intimation about his suspension. (IANS)