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This is an archive article published on February 26, 2024

Sandeshkhali TMC leader Ajit Maity arrested days after protesters ransack his house

Ajay Maity is the third TMC leader arrested in Sandeshkhali, which has been witnessing public anger against the ruling party over alleged land grabbing and sexual assaults.

Protest for arrest in Sandeshkhali incidentWomen holding posters stage a protest demanding the arrest of local TMC leaders over Sandeshkhali incident allegations, in North 24 Parganas district, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (PTI Photo)

The West Bengal Police on Monday morning arrested Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Ajit Maity from Sandeshkhali, three days after protesting local residents ransacked his house.

Maity is the third TMC leader arrested in connection with the alleged atrocities by leaders of the ruling party against Sandeshkhali villagers in the North 24 Parganas district. The other two — Uttam Sardar and Shibaprasad Hazra — were arrested on February 10 and 27, respectively.

On Friday, the protesters in the Bermojur village attacked Maity’s house, and he fled away. On Sunday, when villagers saw Maity, they chased him. He fled and took shelter in a nearby civic volunteer’s house. Later, the police detained him from there. The police, after preliminary interrogation, recorded his arrest on Monday morning.

Maity is known as a close aide of TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh and his brother Sirajuddin Sheikh. Villagers alleged that Maity grabbed their land and drained saline water into it to make them fisheries.

On Sunday, TMC minister Partha Bhowmik disowned Maity and said, “He is no more our party leader. We have already suspended him. If he has done wrong, naturally, people would be angry at him.”

Sandeshkhali has been at the centre of a row after Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers raiding the home of local strongman Shahjahan Sheikh were assaulted in the area on January 5. The ED had gone there concerning an investigation into alleged irregularities in West Bengal’s Public Distribution System (PDS). Later, several women in Sandeshkhali accused Sheikh, who has been absconding, and his supporters of sexual assault and land grabbing.

Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain. Experience  Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions. Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla. Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting. Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More

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