In West Bengal, owing to continuous protest against mass rape of Hindu women by ruling party Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his goons, the administration has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in and around 500 metres of area in seven gram panchayats, including Sandeshkhali till February 19.
Meanwhile, BJP workers and Bengal Police had a clash in the former’s bid to visit women victims of sexual abuse by Trinamool Congress leaders. State BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar was immediately taken to a hospital after he fainted and sustained bruises during the scuffle.
The BJP chief has been camping in the area after shocking news of mass rape of Hindu women by Trinamool strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides surfaced from Sandeshkali, which is close to the North 24 Parganas.
To understand the current situation, read the following key events which took place in the recent past.
Key Events
ED Raid: The Enforcement Directorate or ED officials conducted raid in Sandeshkhali on January 5. The team’s target was Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan over his connection with the Ration Distribution Scam. However, the ED team faced violent resistance by a mob consisting massive number of 200 to 3,000 locals, who vandalised government vehicles.
Systematic Sexual Atrocities: Post-raid, revelations surfaced about systematic sexual assault, captivity of women, and local crimes orchestrated by TMC local leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his henchmen, Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar, illustrating a cycle of terror and exploitation.
Perpetrators Flee: Sheikh Shahjahan’s fleeing after the raid empowered women to break silence, shedding light on years of unabated abuse and exploitation in the poverty-stricken Sunderbans.
Political Nexus and Exploitation: Nexus between civil administration, ruling party members, and local goons facilitated exploitation and unchecked power, perpetuating violence and oppression.
Feb 8
Sandeshkhali women hit the streets with brooms, sticks and farming tools and blocked the roads. They demanded justice and the arrest of perpetrators over serious atrocities, abduction and sexual exploitation of Hindu women by TMC goons.
Feb 9-10
Angry women attacked a poultry farm owned by Sheikh Shahjahan’s close confidant and Trinamool Congress leader Shibu Hazra. It was set up on a land forcefully taken from villagers and it has now become a centre for several illicit activities, said the villagers.
Feb 10
The TMC Government and Bengal Police imposed the Section 144, suspended internet services amid violent protests.
Feb 12
Victims sought assistance and justice from West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose. Amid continuous protests over no action against absconding Sheikh Shahjahan, the State Administration extended the internet ban to adjacent Hingalganj area.
Police, accused of hand in glove with the TMC goons, formed a team to probe sexual violence and Chief MInister Mamata Banerjee assured of action after State Women’s Commission report.
As Sandeshkhali boiled over the issue, Union Minister Smriti Irani questioned CM Mamata Banerjee over Sheikh Shahjahan’s whereabouts and his real identity.
Citing the accusations labelled by the Sandeshkhali area women of mass rape, particularly of Bengali Hindu community, Irani remarked Mamata Banerjee “is known for the genocide of Hindus”, who now “allows her men to pick young married Hindu women to be raped in the TMC office”.
Feb 13
Calcutta High Court intervened, taking suo motu cognisance of mounting criticism against the Mamata Banerjee Government for alleged complicity and negligence.
Past Incidents & Appeals
Alcoholism and Exploitation Of Young Children: TMC goons, known as the biker gang, picked children of 15 to 16 years from schools, lured them with alcohol and armed them with guns to take part in violence. The situation turned worse as these children-turned youth started to loot money, land and dignity of women since 2018. Appeals for intervention regarding the issue yielded no result or improvement.
Women’s Petition
Sandeshkhali area women sent a mass petition elucidating about abuses and illegal activities committed by the goons to CM Mamata Banerjee in 2021. However, the women met with inadequate response.
