Sandeshkhali
After police stop, Calcutta HC allows BJP MLAs Suvendu Adhikari, Shankar Ghosh to visit Sandeshkhali
Kolkata/IBNS: Upholding its single-bench order, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday allowed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs Suvendu Adhikari and Shankar Ghosh to visit violence-hit Sandeshkhali in West Bengal after they were stopped by police in Dhamakhali in the morning.
Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition, and Ghosh were stopped in Dhamakhali even after the high court ruled in their favour on Monday.
After the court's fresh order, the two BJP leaders were allowed to head to Sandeshkhali. A total of six BJP MLAs headed to Sandeshkhali in the morning.
Upholding the single-bench order, the court on Tuesday asked state police to maintain law and order in Sandeshkhali.
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.
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