The village of Sandeshkhali in West Bengal has become a focal point of political upheaval over the past month, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee pointing fingers at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the recent unrest.
Banerjee, addressing the situation on Thursday, placed blame squarely on the RSS for the turmoil in Sandeshkhali, citing its historical involvement in the area and warning of potential nefarious intentions during the recent Saraswati Puja celebrations. “RSS has a base there. Riots took place there 7-8 years back. It is one of the vulnerable riot spots. We handled the situation strongly during Saraswati Puja or else there were other plans,” Banerjee remarked.
Amidst the chaos, Banerjee stressed her administration’s commitment to restoring peace and ensuring justice. Measures have been taken, including the dispatch of the state Women’s Commission and administrative officials to the area. Additionally, 17 individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence thus far, as Banerjee emphasized the active involvement of a women’s police team in addressing grievances on the ground.
The turmoil in Sandeshkhali stems from a raid conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 5 at the residence of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh, as part of an investigation into a multi-crore ration distribution scam. The raid triggered a series of events, including allegations of land grabbing for prawn cultivation and instances of torture and sexual harassment against local women by Shajahan and his associates.
Local women, emboldened by Shajahan’s absence, took to the streets demanding justice and the arrest of those responsible. Tensions escalated with the burning of poultry farms allegedly owned by Shajahan’s associate, Shibaprasad Hazra, fueling a political blame game between opposition parties and the ruling TMC.
Various commissions, including the state Women’s Commission and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, have intervened to assess the situation. However, their efforts faced obstacles due to prohibitory orders imposed by authorities.
In response, the state administration has initiated a probe, appointing a 10-member team of senior IPS officers to investigate further and address the underlying issues fueling the unrest in Sandeshkhali.
As the village grapples with the aftermath of violence and political maneuvering, Banerjee’s assertions and the ongoing investigations offer a glimmer of hope for justice and stability in the troubled region.
Sources By Agencies
