Dumka: A late-night standoff broke out at a hotel in Jharkhand’s Pakur after a West Bengal police team reached the premises where 26 elected Malda zilla parishad members were staying, ahead of the Oct 6 election for chairperson and vice-chairperson.The team arrived late Friday, reportedly acting on a complaint, and sought to question some members. The members refused, saying they had travelled to Pakur voluntarily and were not being held against their will. The exchange turned heated, with reports of pushing and shoving.Pakur police reached the hotel and intervened to prevent the situation from escalating. Town police station officer in-charge Anil Gupta held discussions with the members and the visiting team, after which the tension eased.“Our role was to maintain law and order and prevent escalation. The Bengal police team had come in connection with a complaint, and we intervened when a dispute arose at the hotel,” a Pakur police officer said.The complaint was reportedly filed by the husband of ZP member Mangli Chowdhury, who alleged that she had been taken away forcibly by some members. Police traced her mobile location to the hotel, according to reports. It was not immediately clear whether a formal case had been registered.The members denied the allegation. Sagarika Sarkar alleged the police action was intended to pressure members ahead of the election and claimed women members were misbehaved with.The claims could not be independently verified. The incident assumed political significance amid efforts by rival groups to consolidate support before the vote.
