What's The Latest In Sandeshkhali, Bengal, And How Is The State Government Addressing It?

In the Sandeshkhali region of West Bengal, ongoing unrest persists as demands for the arrest of Trinamool leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates are voiced by protesters, prominently featuring women. Allegations against Sheikh and his cohorts, including land grabbing and sexual harassment, are being highlighted.

Amidst the turmoil, a fact-finding team, convened by BJP chief JP Nadda and bound for the region, was intercepted by police en route. Additionally, a petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court, advocating for a special investigation into the instances of violence in Sandeshkhali, to be conducted either by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Latest developments in Sandeshkhali unrest

On Friday, a six-member fact-finding team assembled by BJP chief JP Nadda was halted by police while en route to Sandeshkhali. The team found itself barricaded in Rampur. Nadda had instructed the team to visit the area, engage with women who had levied allegations of sexual assault against the Trinamool leader, and subsequently furnish a report.

A petition, demanding a special investigation by either a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has been received by the Supreme Court in connection with the unrest in Sandeshkhali. The petition also seeks a fair and impartial investigation of the case and was filed by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava.

Regarding the Sandeshkhali case, the blame for fomenting trouble in the area was attributed to the saffron camp by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday, while accusations were levelled against her party and the state government by the BJP and the National Commission for Women (NCW) of being complicit in crimes against women in the area. Banerjee also noted that 17 people had been arrested in connection with the case.

Banerjee further asserted that all necessary steps had been implemented by her administration to restore peace in the area, alleging that Sandeshkhali had been a "hotbed of communal riots" in recent years, with the RSS having a significant base in the area. Speaking in the assembly, Banerjee criticized the saffron camp and alleged that a "sinister design is at play" to foment trouble in the area.

Subsequently, West Bengal Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari expressed his intention to journey to Sandeshkhali and visit the families of those detained in the case. Adhikari encountered obstruction in his attempt to reach the region. The vehicle, carrying him and three other BJP legislators, was halted by a contingent of policemen at Rampur village while en route to Sandeshkhali. Adhikari mentioned that a total of four legislators were en route to the area to ensure compliance with the prohibitory order.

A "distressing pattern of negligence and complicity" was claimed to be found by a team of the National Commission for Women (NCW) in the Sandeshkhali incident, according to their report released on Thursday. The region was visited by the team on February 12 to investigate reports of sexual exploitation of women, with the involvement of the West Bengal government and law enforcement officials alleged.

Initiation of Probe by Female Police Team in Sandeshkhali

In Sandeshkhali, a probe was initiated by a special ten-member female police team led by IPS Soma Das Mitra on Tuesday. However, no instances of sexual harassment were reported by any woman in the village to the team. According to police sources, as informed to India Today, assurances of safety and security were given to all villagers, yet no complaints regarding sexual harassment were received, reported Business Standards.

The priority, as stated by the sources, is to establish confidence among the villagers so that they can freely communicate and lodge complaints. If any complaints are received, the police assure full cooperation and investigation without any influence. Additionally, reports suggest that this special police team may revisit the village on Thursday.

Clashes Between BJP Workers and Police in Basirhat

In another development, clashes erupted between BJP workers, led by the party's state chief, Sukanta Majumdar, and the police in Basirhat. This occurred after the protesters were prevented from holding a protest, with the police alleging that stones were thrown at them by the protesters.

Several policemen were injured in the violence, and video footage is being used to identify the individuals involved. Majumdar, who anticipated police blockades, had taken a local train in the morning to reach Basirhat, where prohibitory orders banning large gatherings are in place. The clash occurred outside the office of the local superintendent of police.

Enforcement of Section 144 in Seven Gram Panchayats

Furthermore, Section 144 of CrPC has been enforced in and around a 500-meter area of seven-gram panchayats in West Bengal until Monday due to concerns about potential disturbances.

TMC's Reaction to Sandeshkhali Horror

The response to the Sandeshkhali incident by two Bengal ministers did not involve refuting the allegations made by the women of the area. Instead, it was alleged by them that Smriti Irani was attempting to "polarise people." One of the ministers stated that Mamata Banerjee had given assurances that the guilty parties would face punishment.

"Rape has no religion. Crimes against women have no religion. A press conference on Sandeshkhali was conducted by Union Minister Smriti Irani with the sole intention of polarising the masses and pitting communities against each other. Do you want to ignite a communal riot in Bengal," questioned Chandrima Bhattacharya, Trinamool leader and West Bengal minister.

Birbaha Hansda, another Bengal minister, also criticized Smriti Irani but did not deny the allegations of sexual exploitation made by the women of Sandeshkhali.

"An attempt to sow discord among women based on religion was made by Union Minister Smriti Irani. I, as a woman, vehemently condemn it. Our leader Mamta Banerjee has stated that if something indeed happened and culprits are proven guilty, they will be punished," stated Birbaha Hansda.