November 03, 2024 01:06 (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
Andhra Pradesh: Three-year-old girl raped and murdered by relative in Tirupati | Two terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Kashmir's Anantnag | Bengal: 5-year-old girl raped and murdered in Alipurduar, accused beaten to death by angry villagers | Kashmir: Encounter breaks out between security forces and terrorists in Srinagar | Mumbai Police initiates extradition process to bring back Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol Bishnoi from US
Bengal: Suvendu Adhikari, five other BJP leaders head to violence-hit Sandeshkhali
Sandeshkhali
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video of West Bengal BJP

Bengal: Suvendu Adhikari, five other BJP leaders head to violence-hit Sandeshkhali

| @indiablooms | 20 Feb 2024, 11:03 am

Kolkata/IBNS: A six-member Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) team comprising Leader of Opposition and MLA Suvendu Adhikari are heading to West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, where women have alleged to have been sexually harassed by local Trinamool Congress leaders.

As per reports, a huge police force has been deployed in Dhamakhali to thwart the team's entry into Sandeshkhali, where Section 144 was lifted by the Calcutta High Court days ago.

The high court on Monday allowed Adhikari to visit Sandeshkhali, which has turned out to be the epicentre of political rivalries ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Suvendu, who left for Sandeshkhali from Science City in the morning, said, "If the state goes to the division bench challenging the High Court order which allowed us to visit, they are welcome. If the division bench overturns the verdict, then I will immediately return.

"But, if they illegally stop us, I will go to court again."

The turmoil in Sandeshkhali, a remote block about 80 kms from Kolkata and a part of the Basirhat sub-division of 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.

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.