Named in a Nandigram FIR alleging molestation and locked in a verbal duel with CPM MP Lakshman Seth during Sunday’s panchayat polls in West Bengal, CRPF DIG Alok Raj today left Nandigram for his headquarters in Ranchi, saying he and his men were being “framed” by the local police in “collusion” with CPM leaders.

Speaking to The Indian Express from Ranchi, Alok Raj said: “It (FIR) was to pressurise Central police forces, stop them from doing their duty impartially.” He said that he had already informed his seniors about the sequence of events in Nandigram and the “stiff opposition” his unit faced in carrying out its duty of “area domination and patrolling” as had been agreed earlier with the local administration.

“I am back in Ranchi because the major part of my duty, polling, is over,” he said. He was upset that he had failed to get a copy of the complaint against him even 48 hours after it had reportedly been lodged.

“Until now, I have learnt only from media reports that some women in Nandigram have lodged a complaint of molestation against the CRPF team, including me. So far, no police officer from Nandigram or from the state government has spoken to me.”

“I have not yet been informed about the nature or content of the complaint. I have written a letter to the SP, S S Panda, to let me know the nature of the complaint, if any, as early as possible. But till now, there has been no communication,” Alok Raj said.

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