News Analysis India

Tag: Sandeshkhali Violence

  • Mamata Banerjee Govt Refuses To Hand Over Sheikh Shahjahan To CBI Despite HC Order |

    Kolkata: In a dramatic turn of events, the West Bengal government on Tuesday chose defiance over compliance, refusing to surrender custody of Sandeshkhali violence accused Sheikh Shahjahan to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) despite a clear directive from the Calcutta High Court. The former Trinamool heavyweight stands accused of a litany of charges, including extortion, land grabbing, and sexual assault in Bengal’s Sandeshkhali region.

    HC Order Ignored: CBI Left Empty-Handed

    Despite the High Court’s explicit instruction to transfer Shahjahan’s custody to the police’s criminal investigation department (CID), the state government held its ground, citing an appeal to the Supreme Court as justification. Consequently, a CBI team dispatched to claim custody departed from Kolkata’s police headquarters without their intended prize, leaving the legal tug-of-war unresolved.

     

    #WATCH | CBI team left from police headquarters in Kolkata. West Bengal CID did not hand over custody of Sheikh Shahjahan to CBI as the state government went to the Supreme Court regarding this matter. pic.twitter.com/sAJeWoihYK
    — ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024

     

    Assets Frozen: ED Cracks Down

    Simultaneously, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) made significant strides in its pursuit of justice, provisionally attaching assets totaling Rs 12.78 Crore linked to Shahjahan and his associates. The seizure, which includes a variety of immovable properties and bank accounts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002, underscores the gravity of the allegations against the former Trinamool leader.

    High Court’s Scathing Rebuke

    The Calcutta High Court did not mince words in its assessment of the state police’s handling of the case, lambasting their perceived bias and advocating for a thorough investigation by the CBI. Echoing the sentiments of many, the court emphasized the need for impartiality and integrity in resolving the accusations against Shahjahan.

    BJP’s Allegations; Sandeshkhali’s Unrest

    The arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan has not quelled the storm of controversy surrounding his actions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of sheltering Shahjahan from the scrutiny of federal investigative agencies, suggesting political motivations behind his sudden apprehension.

    Meanwhile, Sandeshkhali continues to reverberate with protests, as women in the community demand justice for the alleged atrocities committed by Shahjahan and his cohorts. Their voices, amplified by widespread discontent, serve as a potent reminder of the stakes involved in this ongoing saga of power, politics, and justice.

  • Dilip Ghosh slams West Bengal govt, ‘Sandeshkhali just a trailer; TMC saving Shajahan Sheikh’ – The Economic Times Video

    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Dilip Ghosh has alleged that Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) strong man and a prime accused in Sandeshkhali violence and atrocities against women, Sheikh Shahjahan, brought “votes” and “money” to TMC and that’s why he is not getting arrested. “What is happening in Sandeshkhali is just a trailer, same type of incidents are going to happen in every village of West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee and TMC are saving Shajahan Sheikh. All the teams and delegations are being stopped from going to Sandeshkhali and Mamata Banerjee feels like, this way they can suppress this incident, but this is not possible…”, Dilip Ghosh said.

  • On Sandeshkhali, Assam CM Himanta’s Big Prediction For Mamata Banerjee Government |

    The Bharatiya Janata Party, National Commission for Women and the Calcutta High Court came down heavily on the TMC government over the Sandeshkhali violence issue, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the situation in West Bengal and asserted that Sandeshkhali would be the “downfall” of Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress. CM Sarma criticised the treatment of journalists in Bengal, stating that those attempting to disclose the true state of affairs are being arrested.

    Following the BJP’s allegations of sexual violence by Trinamool leaders and multiple accounts of women alleging harassment in Sandeshkhali , Biswa Sarma said, “The condition of Bengal is very bad, the journalists there who are trying to show the reality are also being arrested. The incident that happened in Sandeshkhali, one cannot even imagine about it. He expressed faith in the legal system, asserting that the law would take its course.

    “Such atrocity on women. It was all in the knowledge of the State government. A syndicate was going on there. This has come out before the country. I believe that the law will take its course. Assam CM further warned that a government perpetrating such atrocities would not remain in power for long. “TMC may try all it wants but people won’t remain silent. A government which commits atrocities like this will not last long,” he added.

    Earlier on Monday, West Bengal Police arrested a journalist associated with Republic TV in Sandeshkhali. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) directing him to submit a report within two weeks in a case where a journalist of a vernacular news channel was unlawfully detained by police in Sandeshkhali.

    The complainant, who also happens to be the wife of the journalist concerned, alleged that she has no access to him and is concerned about his well-being, the NHRC said, adding that she further submitted that it was an attempt to throttle the media in West Bengal through ‘coercion and intimidation’.
    Meanwhile, the Editors Guild of India also issued a statement on the arrest of the journalist in West Bengal.

    The Sandeshkhali area has been witnessing unrest for over 10 days as women protestors are seeking justice against alleged atrocities committed by TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides. A large number of women in Sandeshkhali had accused Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of “land-grab and sexually assaulting” them under coercion.

    Shajahan has been absconding after a mob, allegedly affiliated with him, attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to search his premises in connection with a ration scam on January 5. Two TMC leaders, North 24 Parganas Zilla parishad member Shiba Prasad Hazra and local party functionary Uttam Sardar, were arrested by police and have been booked on charges of alleged gangrape and attempt to murder.

  • Sandeshkhali crimes: Sheikh Shahjahan should be given death penalty, says BJP's Locket Chatterjee

    Sandeshkhali crimes: Sheikh Shahjahan should be given death penalty, says BJP's Locket Chatterjee

  • ‘Ram-Vaam-Shyam Have Joined Hands’: Mamata Accuses BJP, Congress And Left of Secret Alliance |

    New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday targeted Bharatiya Janata Party over the Sandeshkhali violence and alleged that  BJP is trying to disrupt peace in the area and has not taken any action against its leaders.Banerjee’s scathing comments came while she was addressing a public gathering in Birbhum on Sunday.

    Targeting the saffron party over the Sandeshkhali violence Bengal CM said that BJP along with ED and media is trying to disrupt peace in Sandeshkhali. “We always take action in case of any wrong. First the ED, then the BJP, and then the media. They are trying to disrupt peace there [Sandeshkhali]. If there are any allegations, we will take action, and whatever was taken forcibly will be returned,” sad Mamata Banerjee.

    “I have asked the police to take suo motu cognizance. Our block president has been arrested. In Bhangar, Arabul Islam has also been arrested. But what action has the BJP taken against their leaders? Remember, the BJP is anti-Bengali, anti-women, anti-farmer, and anti-dalit,” she added.

    West bengal CM further alleged that the BJP is using central agencies like ED, CBI and the Election Commission for its own advantage. “They are using ED and CBI to threaten us. If the Election Commission is working on BJP’s orders, keep this in mind that we have the right to fight and voice our opinion,” said Banerjee.

    “Earlier, I had to face the torture of Left and now I have to face the torture of BJP. Ram-Vaam-Shyam [BJP, Left, Congress] have joined hands. They had joined hands a long time back. This is the same CPI(M) that used to play with deaths,” she added.

    Citing the ongoing farmers protest, Mamata Banerjee said, “We call the farmers ‘Annadatas’. They are the providers of food for us but look at the way they [BJP] are treating them.”

    “BJP is creating chaos everywhere and provoking one community against the other. We call the farmers Annadatas. They are the provider of food for us but look at the way they [BJP] are treating them. Look at how Punjab, Delhi, and Haryana are burning. They are drilling nails so that the farmers can’t reach there. I sympathise with all our farmers,” she said.

    Further, mentioning the Prevention of Money Laundering Acts, the West Bengal CM said that there is a proper way of work in these kind of cases which the investigative agencies are not following.

    “There is another thing – PMLA. If you have any allegation against anyone, you conduct an investigation properly and give a charge sheet. Let law take its own course. But you cannot keep someone behind the bars. If you think by this you can win elections, you are wrong. Even Indira Gandhi did the same during the Emergency period but lost despite that,” CM Mamata said. 

  • Women of Sandeshkhali recount their horror, make allegation against TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh – The Economic Times Video

    Sandeshkhali (WB): Local women of the Sandeshkhali region of West Bengal on February 14 spoke on the recent violence and the Section 144 imposed in the region. She said that the leader threatened them of killing their husbands and abducting their sons, and thus asked them to keep their mouth shut in front of media. “We do not trust the government here or the local police. We want our lands and our dignity back, will they provide it to us? Women were taken from here and kept inside the homes for the whole night. They were also beaten up. Nobody could speak anything because they threatened to kill our husbands or abduct our sons. The State police will never take into custody Shahjahan, Shibu and others,” said a local.

  • ‘Submit Report On Sandeshkhali Violence’: West Bengal Governor Orders Mamata Govt |

    Kolkata: Sandeshkhali, a village in West Bengal, has become the latest flashpoint of political tension as Governor CV Anand Bose has now demanded a report on Friday’s violence from the Mamata Banerjee-led government. The Raj Bhavan’s directive, coupled with calls for action against the perpetrators, underscored the simmering discontent and accusations swirling around the incident.

    At the heart of the unrest lies a land dispute allegedly involving Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shivprasad Hazra. Angered by claims of forced land acquisition, villagers, including women leading marches, torched Hazra’s poultry farm. They were demanding the arrest of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, accused of orchestrating a land ration allotment scam.

    The heavy police presence deployed to quell the protests proved insufficient to contain the villagers’ fury. The fiery act raised questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement and fueled public outrage. “Investigations are underway to determine the cause behind the disturbances in Sandeshkhali over the past three days. All complaints received in the last two days are being thoroughly examined. It is not appropriate to make any statements at the moment, as the matter is under investigation. Adequate police forces are deployed in the area, and the situation is currently under control,” said ADG Law and Order for West Bengal, Manoj Verma.

    While investigations are underway, the blame game has already begun. TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh, pointed fingers at the opposition, claiming CPI(M) and BJP instigated the violence. Two arrests have been made, and Ghosh alleged the unrest is a ploy to divert attention from Mamata Banerjee’s upcoming announcement for MGNREGA workers.

    However, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari painted a different picture. He called the incident a repercussion of the state government’s actions, highlighting concerns about alleged suppression of democracy and silencing of dissent. Adhikari claimed the violence reflects the pent-up anger of the people simmering for years. “We do not support taking the law into one’s hands. What has been happening in the last 12 years there, it seems that democracy is over there. The right to vote and the right to voice one’s opinions is over. Whatever is happening is a normal turn of events. People were angry for a long time and that has come out,” Adhikari said.

    Amidst these opposing narratives, the truth remains under investigation. The Governor’s demand for a report indicates a seriousness to understand the root cause and ensure accountability. However, the political mudslinging threatens to overshadow the voices of the villagers and their grievances.

    Key questions linger: Was the land acquisition legitimate? Did authorities adequately address the villagers’ concerns? Was the violence pre-meditated, or a spontaneous outburst of frustration? Only a transparent and impartial investigation can provide answers and pave the way for a peaceful resolution.