The Telegraph reported that a CPM councilor in Haldia was arrested after stolen iron ore meant for export was found in a godown apparently owned by him, sparking roadblocks by party supporters.

Mr Sheikh Muzaffar was arrested when he was returning to Haldia from Calcutta airport following a trip to Delhi.

The report quoted a police officer as saying that “On August 15, a consignment of iron ore to be exported to China was found to be of inferior quality during checking at Haldia port. The exporter lodged a complaint alleging that the 96 tonne consignment was stolen and replaced with ore of inferior quality. We arrested the two truck drivers who had brought the ore from Orissa. They told us that they had sold the consignment to one Sheikh Raju at a godown in Haldia’s Brajalalchak. The trucks were then reloaded with inferior-quality ore and sent to Haldia port. The godown belongs to Sheikh Muzaffar.”

Mr Muzaffar claimed he had been framed. “I had leased out the godown to Sheikh Raju. I submitted all documents to the police but still they arrested me on false charges.”

Around 3,000 CPM supporters blocked all approach roads to Haldia for three hours to demand his release, disrupting traffic in the area.

(Sourced from telegraphindia.com)