Where is Sandeshkhali? All you need to know about the clashes, protests in West Bengal

Sandeshkhali is a village in the Basirhat subdivision of the North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal.

Women in Sandeshkhali village have been agitating for the past few days over alleged atrocities committed against them by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh and his aides.

Clashes and Protests

As per ANI, on February 13, clashes broke out between police personnel and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters after efforts were made to defy prohibitory orders clamped in the vicinity of the SP's office in West Bengal's Basirhat prior to the agitation of the party over allegations of sexual harassment of women in Sandeshkhali block.

Later on Feb 13, Calcutta High court set aside the promulgation of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC at Sandeshkhali.

A delegation of the ruling Trinamool Congress delegation visited Sandeshkhali and pledged to ensure justice to the women who are "victims" of atrocities by absconding party leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates.

Members of the National Commission for Women also visited the area and spoke to the victims.

Reacting to the development, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh accused the BJP of trying to "vitiate the atmosphere". "The allegations are baseless. The BJP is trying to vitiate the atmosphere of the area. They want to disturb the law and order situation," Ghosh said.

Where is Sheikh Shajahan?

Protests persisted in Sandeshkhali for the seventh consecutive day today on February 14, with a significant number of women taking to the streets, demanding the arrest of TMC leader Sheikh Shajahan and his alleged aides.

The accusations against Shajahan and his aides include forcefully capturing land and sexually harassing women.

Shajahan, wanted since a mob attacked Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers during a raid at his residence in an alleged ration scam, remains absconding since last month.