Unrest in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali area sparks a political feud. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accuses the saffron camp of instigating trouble, while the BJP and NCW blame TMC for alleged complicity in crimes against women.
- The Sandeshkhali controversy began on January 5 when a mob attacked and drove away Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials who were investigating Shahjahan Sheikh for an alleged ration distribution scam.
- Following this incident, local women accused Sheikh and his associates of land grabbing for prawn farms and ongoing sexual harassment. These accusations triggered widespread protests and a political blame game. The situation intensified on February 8 when protesters set fire to three poultry farms belonging to one of Sheikh's associates.
- Protests had persisted for several days in Sandeshkhali, marked by a significant presence of women demonstrators demanding the arrest of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates. Allegations against Sheikh and his cohorts, including land grabbing and sexual harassment, fueled the unrest.
- The allegations ignited a heated exchange between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress, with Union Minister Smriti Irani asserting on February 12 that Hindu women were being subjected to rape in Sandeshkhali.
- Initially, a case of molestation was filed against Hazra and Sardar as several women complainants submitted their statements to the state women’s commission. Subsequently, on February 10, Sardar was arrested.
- On February 17, police escalated charges against Hazra and Sardar, adding allegations of gang rape and attempted murder based on a statement provided by a female complainant in front of a magistrate. Following this development, Hazra was apprehended the next day. In total, eighteen individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.
- A PIL seeking a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into the violence had been scheduled for a hearing by the Supreme Court on Monday. Advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava had filed the plea, which also sought compensation for the victims and action against West Bengal Police officials for alleged dereliction of duty. The top court had agreed to hear the plea on February 16 after it was urgently listed by Srivastava.
- Amidst the Sandeshkhali controversy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit West Bengal on March 1 and 2. He will address a rally in the North 24 Parganas district, where the tense situation in Sandeshkhali has unfolded.
- After 55 days of being on the run, Sheikh Shahjahan, the Trinamool Congress leader accused of sexual violence and land grabbing in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, was arrested on Thursday morning. The 53-year-old political figure was apprehended from the Minakhan area in North 24 Parganas and is set to appear in court today, as confirmed by senior police officer Aminul Islam Khan.
Shahjahan's ascent from a former trekker driver to prominence has been swift in recent years. He hails from a family with political connections, notably his uncle Moslem Sheikh, a panchayat leader. Shahjahan's influence expanded as he gained control over extensive fish farms in the Sandeshkhali region. Joining the TMC in 2013, he forged a close alliance with Mallick.
Also Read| Sandeshkhali: Know all about Shahjahan Sheikh, the main accused in the net at last
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