X/@ANI
West Bengal's Sandeshkhali region remains on tenterhooks as protests demanding justice for alleged sexual assault by a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters continued for over ten days. The situation took a violent turn on Friday, with clashes between protestors and police, and an attack on a local TMC leader.
Protesters stormed the house of TMC leader Ajit Maity, ransacking the property and reportedly assaulting him. Maity, who denies any wrongdoing, claims he was targeted due to his political affiliation and expressed fear for his family's safety.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Villagers beat up TMC leader Ajit Maity in Sandeshkhali pic.twitter.com/TOc6qvsind
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024
Speaking to media persons, Ajit Maity said, "I was attacked because I am TMC leader. My bike was vandalized and they also attacked my wife. My daughter has exams but she is scared now that we will get attacked again. They also set fire to one of my storage rooms. They were making false allegations about me. Let there be a probe and if I am guilty, Police can arrest me."
TMC leader Ajit Maity says, " I was attacked because I am TMC leader. My bike was vandalised and they also attacked my wife. My daughter has exams but she is scared now that we will get attacked again. They also set fire to one of my storage rooms(Aara Ghar). They were making… https://t.co/cDZ9jYsrM3 pic.twitter.com/jyMTLcD3k8
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024
Adding fuel to the fire, a woman protester alleges that a police vehicle ran over her foot during a confrontation.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its criticism of the state government. The BJP demanded President's rule in the state and slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's silence on the issue. The party accuses the police of looting the houses of women who have spoken out about their experiences, alleging women in Bengal are unsafe.
#WATCH | BJP MP Locket Chatterjee in Kolkata says, "I was detained by police without any information. I will go to Sandeshkhali. If Mamata Banerjee being a woman CM has not gone there, then we will have to go there. I am sure the PM will do something for women." pic.twitter.com/UqLmCS6Eg8
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024
BJP MP Locket Chatterjee attempted to visit Sandeshkhali but was detained by the police. She questioned Banerjee's silence and asserted her right to visit the troubled area. The BJP MP claimed, "I was detained by police without any information. I will go to Sandeshkhali."
#WATCH | West Bengal | BJP MP and State General Secretary Locket Chatterjee and Police officer enter into a verbal altercation.
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024
BJP women's delegation was stopped by state Police as they headed towards Sandeshkhali. pic.twitter.com/WL4rDU5Ude
She also raised questions on Mamata Banerjee's silence over the issue. She said, "Why has Mamata Banerjee not spoken in support of the women in Sandeshkhali? If Mamata Banerjee being a woman CM has not gone there, then we have to go there being a public servant."
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted fresh raids in connection with the alleged ration scam involving absconding TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, whose alleged actions triggered the protests. Police have arrested 18 individuals for their involvement in the violent protests.
With Sheikh still at large and no immediate solution in sight, the situation in Sandeshkhali remains tense.
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