Ranit Kr. Singh , Kolkata - A local Trinamool Congress leader and former civic volunteer was arrested by the Mathabhanga police on Wednesday after hiding under a bed to escape an angry mob in the Jorpatki Gram Panchayat area of Cooch Behar district. The accused, Shahidul Miah—husband of local panchayat member Beauty Bibi—was surrounded by furious residents protesting his alleged involvement in a massive housing scheme bribery scam. Following political shifts in the region, the once-influential leader took refuge under the furniture until police personnel safely extricated him and placed him under arrest, drawing stark contrasts to past eras when law enforcement faced the brunt of political intimidation.

The public outcry erupted after local residents openly revolted against years of systemic extortion, alleging that Miah used his political clout to siphon funds meant for government welfare programs. According to villagers, Miah routinely demanded bribes ranging between 5,000 and 20,000 taka from poor beneficiaries in exchange for allocating residential houses. While public dissent was previously silenced through political intimidation and the abuse of his position, the altered political landscape emboldened the community to take to the streets, trapping the leader inside a residence before authorities intervened.

"Shahidul took bribes with both hands during the Trinamool era and did absolutely no work," a local resident stated. Commenting on the history of the accused, a local source added, "Shahidul was a civic volunteer, although he was removed from work at one point, and he used his influence to extract money by showing various projects including the housing scheme." Summarizing the shift in public sentiment, another villager noted, "If anyone protested back then, he would use his influence to silence them, but after the change in the state, people finally took to the streets to protest."