Three days after ED officers were assaulted in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday the “law and order situation in the state is good”. On Friday, officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) were attacked by a mob of men and women when they went to search the house of Trinamool Congress Zilla Parishad member Shahjahan Sheikh in the Sandeshkhali area of North 24 Parganas district in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam. Later, the central agency said in a statement that three of its officers sustained serious injuries and had to be admitted to a hospital after being attacked by a mob of 800-1000 people. A day after the attack, the West Bengal Police registered three FIRs in connection with the attack on ED officials and booked them for alleged “criminal trespass” and “intending to outrage a woman’s modesty”. The two other FIRs were filed against unknown persons. While speaking during a state government programme in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee, without naming Sandeshkhali, said, “Some people are always trying to tarnish the image of our state. They are saying many things about the law and order situation. I must say to them 'curse me but do not tarnish the image of our state'”. Banerjee also announced that the state government has launched a helpline number for the anti-ragging drive. She said, “All educational institutions should post this number on the notice board. So that, if a student notices any ragging incident in their premises, they can inform us” On Monday, the Bengal chief minister also went to Gangasagar to inaugurate the week-long Gangasagar Mela. While speaking to reporters, Banerjee also talked about the age controversy within the TMC. She said, "Those who are experts in their work, we used to re-employ them after their retirement. Here we have three chief secretaries. Out of them, two are former and they have been working with us till now”. Incidentally, Number Two in Trinamool Congress Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday again talked about the age controversy. “I have said that age is a factor. Yes, I have said it. I stayed on the road for two months during the Nabajowar programme. I am in my 30s. Will I be able to do that in my 70s,” asked Abhishek at an event in his constituency.
