KOLKATA: Bengal governorCV Ananda Boseurged state govt on Wednesday to establish a SIT and conduct a judicial inquiry into the Sandeshkhali violence, while emphasising the arrest of “gang leaders” and their “henchmen”, and advocating for ex gratia to victims. He suggested state women’s commission address the matter appropriately. “Take strict action against erring enforcement officials, particularly police.”
Sandeshkhali in Bengal’s North 24 Parganas has witnessed protests since Feb 7, predominantly led by women expressing anger over sexual harassment and high-handedness by associates of fugitive TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan.
Shahjahan has evaded authorities since Jan 5 when villagers wounded three ED officers during a search operation at his home, as part of the probe into an alleged ration scam.
Trinamool spokesman Kunal Ghosh criticised Bose’s statements as “motivated, partial, baseless, and done to further political agenda”. He suggested Bose should have engaged with state govt instead of “aligning with BJP and CPM”.
Tension escalated after Bengal BJP leaders sought to visit Sandeshkhali following Calcutta HC’s quashing of prohibition orders. An agitation in front of Basirhat SP’s office resulted in a scuffle between BJP workers and police. State party chief Sukanta Majumdar fell while standing on the bonnet of a car and appeared to faint. He was rushed to a hospital.
However, Sec 144 of CrPC was re-imposed by North 24 Parganas district administration at 19 places in trouble-torn Sandeshkhali. Calcutta HC had granted liberty to the state to seek a prohibition order in the “exact area of disturbance”.