1 held for suspected terrorist links in Siliguri

PTI, Siliguri, 06 December, 2015: A small time trader hailing from Assam, has been arrested from here on the suspicion of having alleged links with Assam militants and possibly Islamic State, top police officials said on Sunday.

A large police contingent headed by Additional Deputy Police Commissioner Mrinal Majumder and Assistant Police Commissioner Pinaki Majumder raided the house of Lalit Das (50), at Kabitirtha Sarani in the city last midnight, the officials said.

The raid lasted for two hours and Das was taken to Siliguri police station for further interrogation, the officials said.

No arms or documents were recovered, the officials said.

However, officials said police had information that ULFA and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants used to regularly visit the house.

Residents of the area said often unknown people used to come and stay in the three storied house at night and work in candle light in the upper floors. Das himslef has acknowledged that people from Assam were regular visitors to his house, the official said.

The detective department had prior information that militants, including those linked to the dreaded Islamic State, wanted to create terror in Siliguri, a business hub and adjoining areas and plans were being drawn up to this effect.

The officials were however, tight-lipped as to whether Das was an IS linkman.

Tension prevailed in the area following the development, sources said.