Enforcement Directorate raids premises of businessman linked to absconding TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan.
New areas in Sandeshkhali block on Friday witnessed fresh arson and violence as angry villagers set fire to property belonging to a Trinamool Congress leader, accused of land grabbing. A huge police force converged on the area and a number of local men were arrested, leading to huge protests by women who said that the police, which failed to arrest Trinamool Congress strongman Sheikh Shahjahan for close to 50 days, was arresting their innocent menfolk in order to stifle protests by villagers against Trinamool exploitation.
In the morning, protesters attacked Trinamool Congress leader Ajit Maity’s house in Bedmujur, Sandeshkhali, and damaged his bike, alleging his involvement in land grabbing in the island. A guard room near an aquaculture field was also set on fire. Some protesters, however, alleged that members of the Trinamool Congress were behind the arson to malign the villagers. Violence also took place in the Jhupkhali area.
West Bengal’s Director-General of Police Rajeev Kumar visited the area and warned residents against taking law into their own hands and assured that the law would have to be followed by all. “You register your complaint. We will take action. We will set up a police camp here. But I will request all of you: please don’t take the law in your hands,” he requested the locals.
“Some people who don’t want solutions for people quickly are setting artificial fires. We understand where people are setting fires and where it is artificial… You were not there, we were not there. It was a mistake. We are admitting it. We will establish the rule of law,” said Rajeev Kumar.
But soon after, women staged massive protests when male members of their families were arrested. Roads were blocked and tree trunks and tyres set on fire as the women tried to prevent the police from taking away the menfolk. Women claimed that a police vehicle ran over the legs of an agitating woman, Phulmoni Bhuiyan. Villagers also alleged that followers of Shahjahan Shiekh attacked them with firearms.
In Kolkata, a BJP delegation, including six women leaders, was halted by the police, leading to a heated argument between the cops and the party workers. West Bengal BJP MP and State General Secretary Locket Chatterjee was detained by the police following the confrontation and taken to the Kolkata Police Headquarters in Lalbazar.
The issue once again quickly turned into a BJP vs Trinamool row. In another development, members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday reached Sandeshkhali to ascertain facts by an on-spot inquiry into allegations of violation of human rights. The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of print and electronic media reports that in Sandeshkhali, innocent and impoverished women have been allegedly harassed and sexually assaulted.
The NHRC had issued a notice to the State Government and the State police chief regarding ongoing violence and human rights violations in the area.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate registered a money laundering case against Sheikh Shahjahan. The central agency filed the fresh case in connection with the land grabbing allegations and lodged a new Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), which is equivalent to an FIR, in the matter under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The Enforcement Directorate also raided the premises of a West Bengal businessman linked to Sheikh Shahjahan on Friday. The raids were carried out at his residence in Howrah as well as other locations in Sandeshkhali. In another development, the BJP released a documentary on Sandeshkhali issue on its social media handles. The documentary has several Sandeshkhali women speaking of the crimes they were subjected to.
“A truth that’ll shock us. A truth that’ll pain us. A truth that’ll shake our conscience. The truth of #Sandeshkhali, that Mamata Banerjee is trying to hide…,” the BJP wrote on X, sharing the 20-minute video.
