• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

The pandemonium in Sandeshkhali is scaling up with BJP attacking the Mamata-led TMC government for ‘saving’ the main culprit behind the unrest. The Calcutta High Court also came down heavily on the state government and directed them to arrest Sheikh Shahjahan and produce him before the court.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was on Tuesday stopped from visiting Sandeshkhali as he wanted to interact victims. However, he was later permitted to visit the area after court’s nod.

ALSO READ: Sandeshkhali Unrest: Bengal Police Claims BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari Called Sikh Officer 'Khalistani'; Vows Action

Updates:

- As per Governor’s office, three 'safe rooms' have been opened in Raj Bhavan in West Bengal for women in view of alleged sexual exploitation in Sandeshkhali. "On the instructions of West Bengal Governor (CV Ananda Bose), three ‘safe rooms’ have been made in Raj Bhavan. Any woman can come and stay, and arrangements for their transportation will also be made. Till now, we have not received any requests, but if we receive, proper arrangements will be made," news agency PTI quoted Raj Bhavan as saying.

- The state BJP leaders have already been accusing the police and the administration of working hand in glove with the perpetrators as they exploited women and usurped their lands.

- West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday visited strife-hit Sandeshkhali along with BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh. Adhikari, while talking to India Today, said PM Modi was likely to visit Sandeshkhali to meet the victims of alleged sexual assault.   

- The BJP’s state unit slammed the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the Sandeshkhali issue on Monday and alleged that "goons" were "hunting down" Hindu women and sexually assaulting them.

- The unrest in the area erupted when the ED team, on their way to raid Sheikh Shahjahan’s residence in an alleged ration scam, was attacked by some miscreants. All the unlawful activities of Shahjahan came to the fore after the incident as locals alleged the former was involved in acts including women assault, land grabbing and others.

- Two TMC leaders, Shibaprasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar, close aides of Sheikh Shahjahan, have been arrested after women from the village filed complaints and they face gang rape charges.

- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however, said the events in violence-hit Sandeshkhali were orchestrated by the BJP along with ED.  

- “The condition of Bengal is very bad, the journalists there who are trying to show the reality are also being arrested. The incident that happened in Sandeshkhali, one cannot even imagine about it,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

- The main accused, Sheikh Shahjahan, is still at large.

ALSO READ: ‘You Can Kill Us But…’: Farmer Leader Decries ‘Oppression’ As Delhi Chalo March Restarts Today, Urges PM Modi To Step In

- Sandeshkhali, comprising 16 village panchayats in North 24 Parganas, has been witnessing tensions since January 5.