Sandeshkhali After BJP's team, now Congress MP Adhir Chowdhury stopped from reaching Bengal's Sandeshkhali
Kolkata/IBNS: After the fact-finding team of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress state president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was stopped by police on his way to Sandeshkhali, where women have accused men linked to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan of sexually harassing them.
Barricades of bamboo were placed to thwart any entry into Sandeshkhali, which is located in North 24 Parganas.
After Adhir, who is also Congress' Lok Sabha floor leader, was stopped in Rampur, he sat on the road with other party workers giving slogans against the police.
Little later, the Congress workers clashed with police in a bid to break the barricades and proceed.
"The police couldn't give us a proper answer as to why we are not allowed to proceed. We are not here to do hooliganism," said Adhir on the spot.
He added, "It's a shame that women in Sandeshkhali were forced to leave their husbands and families and satisfy TMC leaders sexually."
#WATCH | West Bengal: State Congress President and MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury sits on a protest in Rampur as he was stopped from going to Sandeshkhali. pic.twitter.com/6UwiskpUiD
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2024
The turmoil in Sandeshkhali, which is located in North 24 Parganas district, broke out first in early January when a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) reached TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan's residence to quiz him in connection with the ration distribution scam in the state.
Shahjahan's aides allegedly assaulted and chased the ED officers turning the area into a political hotspot months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
While Shahjahan is now absconding, several women from the village came out with brooms and sticks demanding the arrest of the TMC strongman.
The protesting women have alleged Shahjahan and his aides captured several lands forcefully and sexually harassed them.
Reacting to the allegations, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in the state assembly on Thursday, "By targeting Shahjahan, ED entered into the area and then created a rift between the Adivasis and minorities."
"If there is any genuine complaint, the government will take action. But first, I have to learn what has happened," she added.
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