All Eyes on Sandeshkhali as Governor Bose, BJP MLAs Set to Visit Violence-Hit Region

Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal will be the epicentre of the political action in the state on Monday, with Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari headed towards the island with other BJP MLAs amid the imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144. A BJP delegation had been stopped from visiting the violence-hit area on Saturday and Adhikari’s visit on Monday is likely to face similar action.

The recent unrest in Sandeshkhali stemmed from a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5 during a raid related to an alleged ration distribution scam involving local TMC leader Sheikh Shajahan. Women in the North 24 Parganas village have accused Shajahan and his associates of land grabbing and sexual harassment, leading to further tensions in the area.

“Come what may, we will reach Sandeshkhali,” Adhikari has declared.

Governor CV Ananda Bose, meanwhile, cut short his Kerala trip and will also visit Sandeshkhali on Monday.

The Governor has asked for a comprehensive report on the incident from the state government and has engaged in discussions with senior officials from the central armed police force and the Chief Vigilance Commissioner of the Union government.

So far, 17 people, including TMC leader Uttam Sardar and BJP leader Bikash Singh, have been arrested from the region. Former CPM MLA Nirapada, too, has been arrested for allegedly instigating violence. Protesting his arrest, CPM cadre held demonstrations outside the police station.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be holding administrative meetings in Arambagh, an important constituency in Hooghly.

The BJP has alleged that Sheikh Shajahan is being “protected” by the police. Countering the BJP’s allegations, the ruling TMC has alleged a “conspiracy” by the CPM and the saffron party to divert attention from the state government’s “movement” over the non-payment of central MNREGA funds to West Bengal.

Amid political tensions over the issue, TMC’s Shajahan has been summoned by the ED for the second time even as the court hears his anticipatory bail plea.