A protest in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, escalated into violence as locals demanded the arrest of Sheikh Shajahan, a Trinamool Congress leader, and his associates. The protest, which entered its third day, saw demonstrators carrying sticks and objects, staging processions in various areas. The situation intensified as a house belonging to Shajahan’s aide, Shibu Prasad Hazra, was vandalized, and three poultry farms owned by Hazra were set on fire.
The protesters alleged that the farms were constructed on land forcibly taken from them, and they were compelled to work on them. Police detained eight individuals in connection with the protests. Meanwhile, supporters of Hazra were accused of attacking the protesters, prompting police to resort to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.
#WATCH | North 24 Parganas, West Bengal | Poultry and fish farms set on fire allegedly by villagers in Sandeshkhali. These farms were built on the land reportedly forcibly occupied by a TMC worker and his aide. pic.twitter.com/7UklYBrUNL
— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2024
Superintendent of Police Hossain Mehedi Rahaman stated that additional forces were deployed to address the situation. He confirmed that a complaint against Shajahan and his aides was lodged and under investigation, with efforts ongoing to locate them.
Such scenes from Sandeshkhali never made it to Bengal's Choti Media. I too had no politics ongoing here so never knew of the seriousness either. So many women united with sticks, locals alleged police used to direct them to Shibu Hazra for complaints, another chamcha of Shahjahan pic.twitter.com/DpAdQ74Ll2
— Sudhanidhi Bandyopadhyay (@SudhanidhiB) February 10, 2024
Addressing the press, Additional Director-General (Law and Order) Manoj Verma assured that the situation was under control. He urged people not to take the law into their hands and emphasized that the authorities were investigating all complaints lodged. Verma warned that legal action would be taken against those resorting to violence.
Meanwhile, local residents initiated a sit-in outside the Sandeshkhali police station, insisting it would continue until Shajahan and his aides were apprehended. Shajahan had gone missing after an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team, investigating an alleged ration scam, was attacked by a mob at his residence last month.
Locals accused Shajahan and his associates of forcefully capturing land and subjecting people to oppression during their tenure. Amidst the tensions, supporters of Shajahan also took to the streets, prompting police efforts to prevent clashes.
Criticism mounted against the police and the Trinamool Congress government for alleged failure to maintain law and order. State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar addressed a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging intervention to address the situation in Sandeshkhali.
In response, TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar accused the BJP of diverting attention from legitimate demands, particularly those related to MNREGA dues.
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