FIR filed against ex-Bengal minister for allegedly threatening folk singer

Kolkata: An FIR has been lodged against former North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha at the Mathabhanga police station in Cooch Behar district.

The complainant is Bhawaiya folk singer Manindranath Barman. The singer, a resident of Nayarhat in Mathabhanga, stated in a written complaint to the police that the former MLA from Natabari had threatened to kill him.

On Friday night, Manindranath visited Mathabhanga police station with a lawyer to lodge a formal complaint against Udayan Guha.

He told the police that just before the Assembly elections, he had composed a song hihlighting alleged corruption in the Trinamool government. According to him, Udayan Guha subsequently threatened to kill him. He also alleged that goons had been hired for the purpose.

The singer claimed that he had been living in hiding for a long time out of fear for his life. He said he had provided the police with all details relating to the allegations against Udayan Guha.

It may be recalled that before the Assembly elections, Trinamool spokesperson Partha Pratim Roy visited the singer’s residence with a list of developmental works undertaken by the Trinamool government over the previous 15 years.

Speaking on Saturday, Manindranath said: “When the Trinamool government was in power, I composed some songs against the state government and I sang those songs myself. That angered Udayan. Several Trinamool leaders from Dinhata threatened to kill me. I ran away. At that time, I could not even file a complaint at the police station. Miscreants were sent after me.”

In view of these allegations and the filing of the FIR against Udayan Guha, attempts were made to contact him over the phone. However, his mobile phone was switched off.

The local Trinamool leadership also declined to comment on the matter.

Since the BJP formed the government in the state, there has been a crackdown on alleged illegal and criminal activities involving Trinamool Congress leaders.

The police have been active in taking action against anti-social elements and have often acted against Trinamool Congress leaders facing allegations of violating the law.

In the last month, a large number of Trinamool councillors across the state have been arrested on charges of corruption and extortion.

IANS