Even as the National Women’s Commission issued a statement condemning the West Bengal Government, the Chief Minister and party supremo Mamata Banerjee broke her silence a full eight days after the women of Sandeshkhali rose in protest against atrocities by Trinamool Congress leaders and blamed the BJP, the RSS and the CPIM “for fomenting trouble”.
Banerjee also signalled support for Shahjahan Shiekh, the absconding party leader whose supporters had attacked the Enforcement Directorate which had gone to raid him on January 5 in connection with the multi-crore ration scam for which the former Food Supplies Minister is under ED custody. Numerous women of Sandeshkhali have blamed Shahjahan Shiekh and his two associates Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar of sexually exploiting them and grabbing their fertile lands to set up prawn farms by pumping salt water into them.
Speaking in the West Bengal Assembly, Mamata Banerjee blamed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the unrest in violence-hit Sandeshkhali village and claimed “there were other plans” during Saraswati Puja.
“The RSS has a base there. Riots took place there 7-8 years back. It is one of the vulnerable riot spots. We handled the situation strongly during Saraswati Puja or else there were other plans,” the Trinamool Congress supremo said. The CPIM is also behind the disturbances since they are trying to regain their lost ground, she added.
Blaming the BJP for the unrest on the island, the Trinamool Congress chief said the Centre had targeted local Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan through the Enforcement Directorate. “First, they entered the area and targeted Sheikh Shahjahan through ED and then they started the trouble there by getting people in. Following this, they ousted everyone from there and fabricated an Adivasis vs minorities fight. Some people may have anger and our Government will take necessary steps,” she added
“I have never supported injustice,” Banerjee said, adding that the State Women’s Commission and administrative officials had been dispatched to the area and 17 individuals arrested so far. She also highlighted the presence of a women’s police team actively engaging with residents to address grievances of the women of Sandeshkhali. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women, which had sent a two-member team to Sandeshkhali for an on-the-spot assessment, today issued a statement blaming the State Government for the state of affairs at Sandeshkhali.
“The silence of local authorities in Sandeshkhali speaks volumes. The NCW wants to get into the depth of the matter. The erasure of evidence and intimidation tactics against women in Sandeshkhali are unacceptable. The NCW demands a full investigation and prosecution of perpetrators,” the NCW said in a statement.
Arun Haldar, acting Chairman of the National Commission of Scheduled Castes, told The Daily Guardian: “We reached Sandeshkhali despite multiple attempts to stop us. There was no cooperation on the Government’s part. The people there are terrified and hence unable to speak out. How can they speak freely to the police when they have seen how the police and the Trinamool Congress are hand-in-glove Since most of the women who have been targeted by the Trinamool leaders are from Scheduled Castes and adivasis, it is the duty of the commission to stand by them. I have the President’s assent for the visit.” NCSC Chairperson Arun Haldar.
“The head of the Commission enjoys the status of a Union Cabinet Minister, so any misadventure will cost them dearly. We shall be meeting the President of India tomorrow at 11 a.m. and shall demand President’s Rule in the State. That is the only way that these people can get the courage to speak out.” he added.
Meanwhile, the State BJP kept up its pressure on the Government. While BJP legislators staged a walkout under the leadership of Chief Whip Manoj Tigga in the Assembly, a group of four MLAs led by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari tried to go towards Sandeshkhali. However, they could not proceed after the police put up barricades on the roads to stop the leaders.
“I went to meet the people of Sandeshkhali and stand by them. Day before yesterday, on my appeal, the High Court had quashed the prohibitory orders imposed by Mamata’s police under Sec 144 of the CrPC. So, today I went with three MLAs – Sankar Ghosh, Chandana Bauri and Tapasi Mondal. Chandana and Tapasi are two women MLAs who are members of the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, just like the unfortunate women of Sandeshkhali. It is our duty to stand by our unfortunate sisters,” he said.
“However, Mamata’s police, in contravention of High Court’s orders, stopped us at Rampur, even though Sec 144 allows four people. I shall bring this to the attention of the High Court tomorrow,” he added.
The BJP also gheraoed the offices of the Superintendents of Police across the State, leading to incidents of fisticuffs and accusations of police excesses.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal Police today blamed a section of media for “spreading wilful misinformation to mislead people about the events in Sandeshkhali. It is reiterated that no allegations of sexual torture of women have so far been received during the enquiries since conducted by the State Women’s Commission, an all-women 10-member fact-finding team led by DIG CID, and also the district police,” the State police said in a statement.