Sandeshkhali row: TMC leader Ajit Maity arrested over land grab charges day after losing party post

financialexpress.com:

Trinamool Congress leader Ajit Maity has been arrested by the West Bengal Police in the trouble-torn Sandeshkhali area of North 24 Parganas district on charges of land grabbing from villagers, an officer said on Monday.

Responding to the allegations, Maity, a close associate of the absconding TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, said, “I’m repeatedly requesting with folded hands that if I have taken away someone’s land or money, then give it in writing to the police. If I have made a mistake, I will apologise. If any evidence is found against me, I will take responsibility.”

Also Read: Fresh protests rock Sandeshkhali, BJP’s Locket Chatterjee detained, TMC leader’s house attacked

He was detained on Sunday evening after being chased by villagers, taking refuge in a civic volunteer’s residence for over four hours. Earlier, he had been removed from his position as TMC Anchal president due to public outcry.

“We have arrested him after getting complaints from villagers regarding land grabbing. We will produce him in the court later in the day,” an official told PTI.

Also Read: Enforcement Directorate files fresh case against TMC’s Sheikh Shahjahan amid Sandeshkhali unrest

The arrest follows an attack on Maity by angry villagers who accused him of having ties with Sheikh’s group involved in land grabbing and sexual assault. The police action coincided with a TMC delegation’s visit to Sandeshkhali for the second consecutive day, addressing the concerns of protesting villagers against alleged atrocities by ruling party leaders.

Sandeshkhali, situated on the borders of the Sundarbans, has witnessed unrest for over a month marked by protests against Sheikh and his supporters. The TMC delegation, led by state ministers Partha Bhowmick