Fresh Violence In Sandeshkhali: BJP Women Workers Thrash TMC Leader In Viral Video

A fresh clash broke between Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party in Sandeshkhali on Sunday.

In a viral clip, the BJP workers, mostly women, are seen attacking the TMC workers. According to BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Basirhat Rekha Patra, his party workers retaliated when TMC leader Dilip Malik came to the police station with his team, abused women and beat them up.

"TMC goons went to the residence of the daughter of 'Andolankaari maa', Sagori Das. TMC goons picked her up and then also threatened her... Then they went to Jeliakhali and attacked the residence of our three members...When we came to the Police station.

Dilip Malik came here with his team and then abused all the women here and beat them so we retaliated and hit them back. In this regard, they (TMC) have registered a complaint in the name of Dr Archana Majumdar and in my name, (Rekha Patra)," ANI quoted Rekha Patra as saying.

However, TMC leader Sukumar Mahato said that the BJP picked up the fight and thrashed the party workers when they were conducting a meeting in the Khulna area.

"We have been able to hold a meeting to talk about the dignity of Sandeshkhali women. Women are protesting against the way BJP conspired against them. You have also seen how Dilip Mallik was attacked today. This is unacceptable. In politics, one party should help the other in their meetings and rallies. Instead of that, Dilip Mallik and other workers were beaten up. Around three-four thousand people assembled for the meeting..," Sukumar Mahato added.

Rekha Patra, the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Basirhat, informed ANI that TMC members had reportedly visited the residence of Sagori Das, the daughter of 'Andolankaari maa'. Allegedly, they picked her up and issued threats. Later, they proceeded to Jeliakhali and assaulted the homes of three of their members. Patra stated that upon arriving at the police station, Dilip Malik and his team allegedly verbally abused and physically assaulted the women present, prompting them to retaliate.

She claimed that in response to these incidents, TMC lodged a complaint against Dr. Archana Majumdar and herself.

Sandeshkhali, located in the North 24 Parganas district, hogged the attention in February this year when villagers, predominantly women, took to the streets to protest against the ruling TMC and Shahjahan. They accused the influential figure and his associates of committing severe abuses and atrocities against them, including land encroachment.

Several women on the island alleged that Shahjahan and his associates coerced them into "land-grabbing and sexual assault."