Showdown over I-PAC raids | TMC MPs stage protest outside Amit Shah's office in Delhi; police detain Derek O'Brien, Mahua Moitra

MPs Derek O'Brien and Mahua Moitra of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) were detained by the police on Friday as they held a protest outside the office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

MPs Satabdi Roy, Bapi Haldar, Saket Gokhale, Pratima Mondal, Kirti Azad and Sharmila Sarkar were also detained and taken to Parliament Street police station.

The MPs staged a protest over the raids by the Enforcement Directorate on I-PAC in links with an illegal coal smuggling case.

The MPs raised were seen holding placards with the writings "Amit Shah + Ed versus People of Bengal," and "Bengal REJECTS Modi-Shah's FILTHY TACTICS".

"They will be released shortly," the officer said, adding the protest was not permitted outside the Home Ministry's office due to prohibitory orders and security concerns, reported PTI.

TMC leaders shared images of the MPs being forcefully removed from the site by Delhi Police, and criticised the Union government over it.

"What kind of arrogance is this Amit Shah? Are you now using your Delhi Police to assault elected representatives just to crush democracy? Is this how dissent is silenced in your India?" the TMC charged.

"Admit it, you are rattled! First, the shameless misuse of the ED. Now, an attack on the peaceful dharna of our eight MPs. This desperation exposes your fear. You may try to choke democracy, but Bengal will not be cowed. Shame on you and your police!" TMC said.

On Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the ED of attempting to seize the party' internal data and election strategy during searches at the residence of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain and the organisation's office in Kolkata.

Banerjee had termed the raids "political vendetta" and alleged misuse of central agencies to intimidate opposition parties.

TMC leaders have maintained that I-PAC was being targeted to gain access to sensitive internal documents. The firm which provides political consultancy services to the party and manages its IT and media operations. The party has announced protests against the ED action both in West Bengal and at the national level.