Bengal Sandeshkhali violence: Section 144 imposed, Internet services suspended after protest turns violent
Sandeshkhali area of North 24 Parganas district. Meanwhile, Section 144 has also been imposed to maintain law and order in the area.
Locals staged a massive protest on Friday, demanding the arrest of absconding Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shajahan and his associates. As the protests turned violent, a house was being vandalized and poultry farms were set on fire.
Carrying sticks and other objects, locals took out processions in different areas of the area as protests intensified on the third day of the agitation. In the afternoon, the house of Shajahan’s aide, Shibu Prasad Hazra was vandalised, police said. Also, three poultry farms in Zeliakhali belonging to Hazra were set ablaze, it is learned.
The protesters alleged that the farms were built on the land usurped from them and that they were forced to work on them.
Eight people were detained in connection with the protests, the police said. Meanwhile, Hazra’s supporters were accused of attacking the protesters on Friday.
The police resorted to lathi-charge to chase away the protesters.
Superintendent of Police Hossain Mehedi Rahaman said forces were sent to the area to tackle the situation. A complaint was lodged by the villagers against Shajahan and his aides on Thursday, and it was being looked into, he added. Searches were on for them, the SP said.
Addressing a press conference, Additional Director-General (Law and Order) Manoj Verma said the situation was under control and urged people not to take the law into their hands. “Probe is underway into all
