West Bengal: Two arrested for FB post criticising traffic restrictions during Durga Puja

Two people were arrested in West Bengal's Balurghat district after they uploaded Facebook posts that were critical of the traffic restrictions during Durga Puja.

According to a report in The Telegraph, the arrested, businessman Debajit Roy, and Anupam Tarafdar had on September 27 posted in Bangla: "Bikers... whatever you do, please ensure that you park your bikes in the garage by 4pm or else you can't return home. If you are into business... then those who have issued the diktats will arrange your meal...."

Another post referred to totos (battery-operated rickshaws) and explained how Roy had had to walk 5km with his 18-month-old child and pregnant wife as they could not find any toto or cycle rickshaw to hire.

The posts went viral and several residents wrote comments, following which the toto drivers took offence and held a protest on October 4.

Two cases have been filed: one based on a complaint by toto drivers saying they have been maligned and another by the police on their own.

These offences carry jail terms ranging from three months to ten years. Produced at the chief judicial magistrate’s court in Balurgat on Friday, Roy and Tarafdar have been sent to a two-day police remand.