In a significant breakthrough regarding the unrest in Malda’s Mothabari, the police have arrested the alleged mastermind, Mofakkerul Islam. The AIMIM leader and lawyer was apprehended at Bagdogra Airport on Friday morning while reportedly attempting to flee the state. The arrest comes following the Election Commission’s crackdown and a warrant issued under Supreme Court observations.

Mofakkerul is accused of delivering a highly inflammatory speech from atop a car in Kaliachak on Wednesday night, which allegedly incited a mob to surround and detain seven judicial officers. Despite evading the police and ignoring messages throughout Thursday, he was finally tracked down at the airport. Interestingly, he managed to host a Facebook Live from the police outpost post-arrest, though it was later deleted. The Siliguri Police Commissioner is expected to interrogate the former Itahar candidate personally. His social media post shortly before being taken into custody simply read, “Stay well, everyone.”