Explainer: For the last few days, there is tension in Sandeshkhali of North 24 Parganas district, located far away from Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, which has become the center of discussion not only in Bengal but in all the surrounding states. There are many reasons behind why and to what extent Sandeshkhali lit up. Let us know-
The uproar started due to the incident of raid on Sheikh Shahjahan’s residence.
The people there were being tortured for a long time. This is the allegation of the villagers. They also allege that their lands were snatched away and taken over. Those attacks were being carried out when people protested. Women were being tortured. This anger of the people gradually transformed into a movement. On January 5, ED raided the residence of Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan in Sarbediya, Sandeshkhali in connection with the ration corruption case. After this Sheikh Shahjahan had absconded. Then gradually people started raising their voice against him. Within no time people started coming forward openly and this protest turned into a fire of anger. Let us tell you that there is tension in Sandeshkhali since last February 7. People are protesting demanding the arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan and his associate Shibu Hazra. Women’s protest continues in Sandeshkhali. Their demand is that Sheikh Shahjahan should be arrested soon.
What is Sandeshkhali incident?
33 days after the attack on ED and Central jawans who had gone to investigate the ration corruption case on January 5, there was chaos again in Sandeshkhali of North 24 Parganas on February 7. This time the uproar was of villagers against Trinamool supporters. During this period, there was a fight between Trinamool supporters and a group in the village. In this, 13 people from both sides were injured. According to the information, Trinamool had taken out a rally with a section of the tribal community in Trimohani market of Sandeshkhali, accusing the Center of depriving Bengal of the outstanding funds. The uproar started only after the cheering of Sheikh Shahjahan.
Why did women take to the streets?
The uproar that started in Sandeshkhali gradually grew bigger. The women there came out on the road with sticks and bamboo. This time his direct demand was that local Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan, block president Shivprasad Hazra and his associate Uttam Sardar should be arrested. The people of Sandeshkhali are boiling with anger. Especially women took to the streets again demanding the arrest of Shahjahan. The allegation is that Shahjahan has tortured the villagers for a long time in the name of the party. In such a situation, the women demand that he should be arrested immediately.
Why did people get angry in Sandeshkhali?
After this, the anger increased so much that the next day people started violent demonstrations demanding the arrest of Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates. Angry people took out processions in different areas of Sandeshkhali with sticks and brooms in their hands. Were staying. People’s anger had reached its peak. The house of Shivprasad Hazra alias Shibu Hazra, considered an associate of Shahjahan, was vandalized and some wooden items were set on fire. Three poultry farms of Hazra were burnt in Jeliakhali. The protesters were demanding the arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan, Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar as soon as possible. People also demonstrated outside the Sandeshkhali police station. Warned that the protest will continue until the arrest of Shahjahan and his associates.
Efforts are being made to control the situation: SP
Superintendent of Police Hussain Mehdi Rehman said that security forces have been sent to the area and efforts are being made to control the situation. The villagers had lodged a complaint against Shahjahan and his associates, which is being investigated. Raids are being conducted to arrest the absconding people.
Section 144 was imposed to control the situation
Two days after the incident, Section 144 was imposed in Sandeshkhali from the night of 9th February. After this, shops and markets remained closed in eight gram panchayat areas of Sandeshkhali Block-2 for several days. Internet services also remained halted. A large number of policemen were deployed in Sandeshkhali police station area. Police are continuously patrolling the areas. Police is keeping a close watch on all the routes (water and road) leading to Sandeshkhali. Naka checking has been installed on all main routes. However, today the High Court has ordered to quash Section 144 in Sandeshkhali. The situation is still tense.
Result of people’s anger: Shamik Bhattacharya
BJP says that this incident is the result of suppressed anger of the people. BJP leader Shamik Bhattacharya said that the Sandeshkhali incident is a glimpse of future incidents. Trinamool government is not going to last long. Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader Tanmay Bhattacharya said that public anger has erupted due to illegal occupation of hundreds of acres of land and police inaction.
When the BJP delegation going to Sandeshkhali was stopped by the police.
The BJP delegation, which came to take stock last Saturday, was stopped by the police even before reaching Sandeshkhali police station. There were 25 people in the BJP delegation including Nabadwip District BJP Supervisor Krishnendu Mukherjee, Basirhat District BJP President Tapas Ghosh and leader Archana Majumdar. The police had stopped everyone near Rampur and taken them into custody. During this period there was a long argument with the police. Due to Section 144 in the area, the police had stopped everyone near Rampur and were not allowed to enter the village. BJP leaders had sought permission for at least four people to enter, which was rejected by the police.
After the agitation, Trinamool suspended the accused from the party
After the agitation, the party took strict action last Saturday morning and suspended accused Uttam Sardar from the post of North 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad member and zonal president of Trinamool for six years. Within a few hours after this announcement, Uttam Sardar was arrested by the police from Sandeshkhali police station area late on Saturday evening. Here the villagers allege that on the very first day of the uproar in Sandeshkhali, the villagers caught Uttam Sardar and beat him severely, after which the police reached the spot and detained him after saving him from the villagers.
BJP leader also arrested in counterattack
Here, on Saturday itself, a BJP leader Vikas Singh was arrested for creating unrest in Sandeshkhali. According to the police, a BJP leader has been arrested accusing him of creating an atmosphere of unrest in Sandeshkhali since last Wednesday.
Governor Bose had visited Sandeshkhali
Governor CV Anand Bose visited the disturbed areas in Sandeshkhali and spoke to women protesters who have accused absconding Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates of sexual harassment. The Governor assured that full assistance will be provided to provide justice to the persecuted women who tied Rakhi on their wrists. The Governor told the local women not to worry. You will definitely get justice. Women were heard saying that they wanted peace and security for themselves. She cannot bear this further torture. The Governor told reporters that what I saw was horrifying, shocking and shook my conscience.
Smriti Irani cornered Mamata government in Sandeshkhali case
Union Minister Smriti Irani had fiercely attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He had made serious allegations against the TMC government regarding violence without any reason. The Union Minister said that Trinamool goons are kidnapping girls and torturing them. Why is Mamata Banerjee silent despite being a woman Chief Minister herself? Where is Sheikh Shahjahan? Why is Mamata government not arresting him? It is noteworthy that there has been unrest in Sandeshkhali for the last several days. Governor Bose also visited Sandeshkhali. Section 144 has been imposed in Sandeshkhali so that women cannot narrate their ordeal. Bengali Hindu women are being attacked in Sandeshkhali. Can we remain silent spectators?
State government is taking appropriate action in Sandeshkhali
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the state government is taking appropriate steps. The State Women Commission was also sent there. The police have also arrested the accused. The Chief Minister commented on the Governor’s visit. “You can go wherever you want,” he said. I have also sent the State Women’s Commission. They have given a report. Mamta Banerjee further said, action is going on against the accused. A team of 10 women police officers has been formed by the state government which is meeting the women. And trying to know their problems.
Basirhat becomes battlefield, clash between BJP supporters and police
The issue of Sandeshkhali is becoming heated in West Bengal. BJP leader once again Sukant Majumdar There was a plan to surround the Superintendent of Police office under the leadership of. Under which, when he reached Basirhat, he had a clash with the police. BJP workers broke the barricade first. When the police tried to stop them, a scuffle started between the two sides. Police were seen chasing away BJP workers and supporters with batons. Water is being sprayed. BJP supporters say that the police has lathi charged them. Many supporters have been injured.