On Sunday, ministers from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) visited Sandeshkali, a region marked by unrest, to engage with local residents. Concurrently, West Bengal police detained six members of an independent fact-finding committee led by former Chief Justice of Patna High Court, Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, en route to Sandeshkali. The committee aimed to investigate allegations of human rights violations, particularly concerning land disputes and reports of harassment by TMC leaders. The police cited Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which prohibits assembly, to justify their actions.
Initially stopped on Basanti Highway, approximately 52 km from Sandeshkali, the committee members were arrested after attempting to proceed despite police warnings. Saikat Ghosh, Deputy Commissioner of the Kolkata Police’s Bhangar Division, explained that the arrests were made under preventive sections due to concerns of potential breaches of peace. Despite being taken to Lalabazar, the Kolkata Police headquarters, the committee members were later released.
Reddy criticized the police action, asserting its illegality. He emphasized the committee’s intention to abide by the law, expressing disappointment over the denial of access to the affected area. Another committee member, Charu Wali Khanna, raised questions regarding the police’s motives, especially concerning the welfare of women impacted by the alleged atrocities.
TMC Delegation’s Efforts and Villagers’ Protests
Simultaneously, a TMC delegation, including ministers Partha Bhowmick and Sujit Bose, visited Sandeshkali for the second consecutive day to address villagers’ grievances. They promised to investigate reported land grab allegations, acknowledging the need for time to complete official procedures. However, their visit was met with opposition, as around 100 women protested with ‘Sujit Bose Go Back’ posters, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region.
Sandeshkali has been embroiled in unrest since early February, marked by protests demanding the arrest of TMC figure Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates, Shibaprasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar. The situation remains volatile, with conflicting narratives highlighting the challenges faced by authorities in addressing grievances while maintaining order.
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