Sandeshkhali has been at the centre of a controversy after Enforcement Directorate officers conducting a search at the home of local strongman and TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh were assaulted in the area on January 5. (File)
Protests flared up once again in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali on Friday afternoon as villagers in Belmajur ransacked local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Ajit Maity’s house and assaulted him outside the island where the main agitation started two weeks ago. On Thursday, protesters in the area had ransacked and set fire to the guard room of a fishery in Jhupkhali.
Sandeshkhali has been at the centre of a controversy after Enforcement Directorate officers conducting a search at the home of local strongman and TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh were assaulted in the area on January 5. The team had gone there in connection with an investigation into alleged irregularities in the state’s public distribution system. Later, a large number of women in Sandeshkhali accused Sheikh and his supporters of encroaching land and sexually assaulting them.
Friday’s incident took place in the afternoon in the Sandeshkhali 2 block area, 15 km away from the centre of protests so far. Villagers stormed Maity’s house, ransacked it and also beat him up alleging that the TMC leader, a close associate of Shahjahan, was also involved in land grabbing and extortion.
Additional Director General of Police (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar rushed to the spot and received complaints from both sides, assuring them that all possible steps would be taken to address the situation. He also spoke to Maity and said, “We will take action against all the allegations. Those who ransacked the house will be arrested and if their allegation is true, more arrests will follow.” Later, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar also reached the spot.
Meanwhile, the police stopped a seven-member BJP delegation, including MP Locket Chatterjee and MLA Agnimitra Paul, and a group of women lawyers who were scheduled to visit Sandeshkhali on Friday. The leaders had gathered in Kolkata’s EM bypass area but the police intervened when they were near Science City.
A scuffle allegedly broke out, and Chatterjee told the officers that Section 144 was not imposed in Bhojerhat. She was, however, detained and taken to Lalbazar.
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
Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats.
Experience & Authority
Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal.
Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness.
Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics.
Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism.
Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage.
Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement.
Education
Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills.
Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College.
Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting.
Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region.
Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More
3 min read
Sandeshkhali has been at the centre of a controversy after Enforcement Directorate officers conducting a search at the home of local strongman and TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh were assaulted in the area on January 5. (File)
