Kolkata, May 06: Police arrested 32 people in connection with the attack on Union Minister Tapan Sikdar with the North 24-Parganas District Intelligence Branch (DIB) beginning an inquiry into yesterday`s incident. "Yesterday, 20 people were arrested. During overnight raids, we arrested 12 more, bringing the total number of arrested to 32. Of these, about 15 belong to the CPI (M) and the remaining to the BJP and Trinamool Congress," Deputy IGP (headquarter) Narayan Ghosh told newsmen here today. Stating that the Union Minister was not the target of the attackers, he said Sikdar received `splinter injuries` when he arrived at Kaipur during a fight between BJP and CPI (M) supporters after a festoon was torn down. Asked to comment of Sikdar`s allegation yesterday that the district SP Basudev Bag had failed to make adequate police arrangement for his visit despite promising to do so, Ghosh said, "I am not aware what conversation the SP had with the minister. The DIB is conducting an inquiry into the incident. If it is found that adequate police was not given despite commitment, it would be looked into."

Bureau Report