Bengal: Prohibitory orders clamped in Sandeshkhali as villagers protest seeking TMC leader's arrest
Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, where local women held protests demanding the arrest of absconding TMC leader Sheikh Shajahan and his aides, police said on Saturday. Local women with sticks and brooms in their hands took out processions in different areas of Sandeshkhali as the protests intensified on the second day on Friday.
«Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed and internet services have been suspended in parts of North 24 Parganas district,» a senior police officer said.
Shajahan has been absconding since last month after a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that went to raid his house in an alleged ration scam was attacked by a mob.
The protesting women alleged that Shajahan and his «gang» captured swathes of land by force, besides sexually harassing them. Shajahan's supporters also took to the streets, further adding to the tension.
Suvendu Adhikari, BJP MLA and leader of opposition in the West Bengal assembly, alleged that human rights have been violated in Sandeshkhali.
«Sandeshkhali is a place where the 'rule of law' is nonexistent, rather the 'law of rulers' namely Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides was established,» he wrote on X.
A delegation of BJP MLAs led by Adhikari went to the Raj Bhavan here and submitted a memorandum, demanding the intervention of Governor C V Ananda Bose to restore peace in Sandeshkhali.
CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty stated that regardless of party affiliations, villagers had erupted against the «lawlessness» in the area.
A delegation of opposition leaders was on
