Karimpur, May 19: Sejejul Haque Shah, alias Mithu, a prominent Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and deputy chief of the Karimpur-II panchayat samity in Nadia district, was arrested on Monday for allegedly firing at a police constable assigned to his personal security. The incident reportedly took place in the early hours of the morning at Shah’s residence in Thanarpara Narayanpur, following what sources suggest was a drunken altercation.
The bullet narrowly missed its target, Constable Jahangir Alam of Thanarpara police station, striking a wall instead. The constable quickly sought refuge in a room with the help of family members and promptly alerted the police. Officers arrived at the scene and arrested Sejejul Haque Shah, also known as “Mithu.”
Sejejul Haque Shah has a history of controversy. Once a formidable Maoist “commander,” he joined the TMC several years after the party came to power. During a search of his home, police recovered three improvised illegal firearms and eight rounds of live ammunition. He was subsequently presented before the ACJM court in Tehatta and remanded in police custody for ten days.
He faces serious charges, including attempt to murder, obstructing a public servant, using criminal force against a public servant, and illegal possession of firearms. Krishnanagar SP, Amarnath K, stated, “We have arrested the leader who fired at a constable deputed to provide him security. We have begun a case of attempt to murder and are trying to find out the source of the firearms he possessed.”
The SP further explained that Shah had been provided personal security in 2022 due to threats to his life, particularly after a prominent TMC leader from Narayanpur was killed. Party insiders noted Shah’s aggressive demeanor, mentioning he had previously assaulted security staff. He was also reportedly a close aide of the recently deceased Trinamool MLA Tapash Saha of Tehatta.
On Monday, Sejejul’s wife, Manowara Shah, herself a TMC leader and pradhan of Narayanpur II gram panchayat, claimed, “After the death of MLA Tapash Saha, Sejejul lost his mental balance due to the shock.1 Monday’s incident is an outcome of that.”
However, police sources dismissed this claim, alleging a pattern of misbehavior by Sejejul towards the constable. “While going to bed, he misbehaved and threatened the constable.2 On Monday
morning, when the constable came home to resume duty, Sejejul abused him and then fired,” a police officer stated. SP Amarnath K confirmed that “The accused leader was in a drunken state and hurled abusive words targeting the security staff.” Close aides of the leader also confirmed that he had consumed alcohol and lost control after returning from a condolence meeting on Sunday night.
Despite the accusations, Sejejul Haque Shah vehemently denied all charges when being taken to court. He told reporters, “I did not fire at the constable at all. I am being framed by police because I raised my voice against illegal removal of earth from the Jalangi river basin.” He further alleged, “Earth has been removed illegally for several days with the help of a section of the police staff of Thanarpara police station. It is a conspiracy to frame me for opposing the illegal lifting of earth. On the day of the incident, I entered the house around 7:25 pm and did not come out after that. There were no firearms. I am being framed.” However, sources also report that Shah had allegedly attacked another bodyguard in a similar manner about six months ago.
Local TMC MLA Bimal Sinharoy refused to speak on the matter. On the other hand, BJP Nadia North president Arjun Biswas commented, “The lawlessness in the state can amply be understood from this incident as a Trinamool leader had no hesitation to fire at a police personnel.”