A DAY after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued a lookout circular against TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who is wanted in connection with the mob assault on an ED search team outside his residence, West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Sunday described the central agency as an “idiot” even as he accused the Mamata Banerjee government of protecting criminals. Responding to questions on the lookout circular at a press conference at Berhampore in Murshidabad district, Chowdhury, who is also the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, said, “Arre ED kya karega? ED khud idiot hain (What will ED do? ED is itself an idiot).” “The ruling party in Bengal will look after him (Shahjahan). The ruling party in the state works to protect dangerous people in the party who indulge in criminal activities. This is a ‘look after’ government,” he said. “So, what is the use of a lookout circular against such people?” On Friday, when an ED team reached Shahjahan's residence in North 24 Parganas district to conduct searches in connection with an alleged ration scam case, they were attacked by a large mob. The ED said three of its officers sustained serious injuries. On Saturday, ED issued the lookout circular against Shahjahan, following apprehensions that he might flee the country. On this, Chowdhury asked the Centre to strengthen border security in Bengal. “The borders (India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal) are porous. There is no problem travelling from this side to the other side. Where are the ED and CBI? That’s why they should not make tall claims, be it the BJP, ED or CBI,” he said. “The BJP talks about the Rohingya issue. Now they have started politics of polarisation. They should do something against those who look after,” the MP said, referring to the TMC government in the state.
