Violent Protests Erupt in Sandeshkhali Over Alleged Trinamul Leader's Reign of Terror
Residents demand the arrest of Trinamul leader Shahjahan Sheikh and associates; clashes with Enforcement Directorate turn violent.
On Thursday, a sizable portion of Sandeshkhali in North 24-Parganas burst into protest as hundreds of women and men brandishing sticks took to the streets, calling for the arrest of Trinamul leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates, Uttam Sardar and Shibaprasad Hazra.
They said the three had been terrorizing the region for a long time.
A group of about 200 men and women attacked an Enforcement Directorate team that was raiding Shahjahan's home to look into allegations of corruption in the distribution of rations. The group beat the team, destroyed their cars, and forced them to flee. Sandeshkhali, which is 73 km from the center of Calcutta, has been in the news since January 5.
Several journalists and at least three ED officials who were pursuing the raiding squad were wounded in the fighting in Sarberia village in Sandeshkhali block. Shahjahan has been evading capture ever since.
The police supported Shahjahan and his allies in their dominance over Sandeshkhali for a number of years, according to the enraged villagers who clashed with them on Thursday. The residences of Trinamul leaders Shibaprasad and Uttam were assaulted by enraged locals. Workers of the governing party were also beaten up and forced to leave after they set fire to their homes, which caused fear among them.
"The police were complicit in the thugs' takeover of Sandeshkhali. Because of Shahjahan's and his men's actions, we have been living in terror. They had gone too far in their persecution. It's now our chance to respond after they put our patience to the test. According to Namita Mondal, a villager who participated in the movement and is known to be a fan of Trinamul, "Either the police arrest them or they face the consequences."
They claimed that the governing party supported a number of criminals, including Shahjahan.
"The land of many among us was taken by the goons of the ruling party," a lady remarked. They have insulted women's modesty, beaten up our men if they have complained, and made our school-age lads attend political demonstrations. They carried out all of these actions with police complicity, and the police did not record our complaints.
