West Bengal ministers Sujit Bose and Partha Bhowmick embarked on a visit to the tumultuous region of Sandeshkhali on Saturday to assess the prevailing situation, while a delegation from the CPI(M) led by Minakshi Mukhopadhay encountered obstruction from the police, preventing them from proceeding into the interior areas of North 24 Parganas district.
During their visit, State Fire Services Minister Bose, Irrigation Minister Partha Bhowmick, along with Sandeshkhali MLA Sukumar Mahato, toured the locality and engaged in dialogues with the local populace, attentively listening to their concerns and grievances.
However, the CPI(M) delegation led by Mukhopadhay encountered a setback as law enforcement authorities intervened, citing the imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), thereby restricting their movement beyond the Majher Para area. This prompted CPI(M) activists to stage a sit-in protest, expressing their discontent with the police's actions through spirited slogans.
Concurrently, a team from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) under the leadership of Vijaya Bharati Sayani undertook a visit to the strife-ridden Sandeshkhali for the second consecutive day, aiming to investigate allegations of land encroachment purportedly committed by certain leaders affiliated with the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
While one segment of the NHRC team, comprising three members, ventured into Jeliakhali, another contingent consisting of two members proceeded to Sandeshkhali Police Station to engage with villagers and gather firsthand accounts.
Further reinforcing the investigative efforts, ADG (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar conducted a visit to the area, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the need for comprehensive inquiry and resolution.
Simultaneously, tension flared in the Halder Para locality of Sandeshkhali when certain villagers allegedly attempted to assault a TMC supporter. Prompt intervention by the police effectively quelled the escalating tensions, ensuring stability in the area, as reported by a law enforcement official.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari likened the unrest in Sandeshkhali to the historical Nandigram episode, citing allegations of land usurpation, electoral malpractice, harassment, and erosion of democratic values. Adhikari articulated these concerns during a press briefing in Kolkata, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The enforcement of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC remains in effect in select regions of Sandeshkhali, underscoring the ongoing efforts to maintain law and order amidst the prevailing unrest.
The Sandeshkhali region has been marred by protests stemming from allegations of land expropriation and harassment of women by local TMC leaders, prominently including Sheikh Shajahan and his sibling Sheikh Sirajuddin.
The spark that ignited the unrest was the altercation between a mob allegedly associated with the local TMC leadership and a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during a raid on Shajahan’s residence on January 5.
In response to the volatile situation, various national commissions, including the National ST and SC Commissions and the National Commission for Women, dispatched delegations to assess the situation and address grievances.
Furthermore, the Director General of Police undertook two visits to the area, aiming to instill a sense of confidence and security among the local populace through proactive engagement and strategic interventions.
