Kolkata to Delhi, chorus in BJP: Mamata must quit, let NIA probe

“Notably, the Hon’ble Justice of Calcutta High Court, Shri Abhijit Gangopadhyay, remarked that this incident is a constitutional crisis, advocating for the governor’s intervention and the implementation of President’s Rule. There is also a strong appeal for the deployment of paramilitary forces to Sandeshkhali,” he wrote.

In the High Court, when Justice Gangopadhyay was told about the incident by lawyer Sudipta Dasgupta, he remarked, “I was not aware of this incident. If such an incident happened, then ED officials can draw the attention of the Governor on the law and order situation.”

BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in the state, also sought an NIA probe and posted online: “Horrific. The law and order situation in West Bengal is in shambles. ED officials and CRPF jawans brutally attacked… while conducting a raid at Shahjahan’s house. I doubt that Rohingyas are present amongst the anti-national attackers. I urge the Union Home Minister, Bengal Governor… to take appropriate action to crush this anarchy.”

In a post online, Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP’s national IT cell and West Bengal co-incharge, wrote: “Shahjahan Sheikh… is close to Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of CM Mamata Banerjee, who is also the Home Minister of Bengal. This is how lawless Bengal is. It is likely that several of those who came out to attack the agency officials are illegal migrants, who have been patronised by the local TMC leaders, to serve as their vote bank. Continuance of TMC government in West Bengal is a national security threat.”

Asserting that there was complete “goondaism” in Bengal, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said in the national capital that Banerjee should resign. “She has no right to remain Chief Minister. The ED officers even called the police for help, saying that a lethal attack on them was underway… Under whose protection does this violence spring from? It comes under Mamata Banerjee’s protection.”

“TMC goons attacked ED officers… It is now being claimed that the Rohingya did this. It is shameless that under Banerjee, Bengal has become a synonym for jungle raj,” he said. “This is the height of anarchy and goondaism. Even Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary of INDI Alliance has said that this is a collapse of law and order.”

TMC’s Kunal Ghosh, however, said that “what happened in Sandeshkhali was a result of provocation”.

“In West Bengal, central agencies and forces, on the instructions of the BJP, are going to the residence of one or the other TMC leader or worker to harass and provoke people. That’s what happened in Sandeshkhali,” Ghosh said.

He also criticised Justice Gangopadhyay’s comments, calling them “offensive” and “insulting of the chair”.

“People see ED, CBI as BJP. Now ED or CBI is not keeping the state government or the police in the loop. If the Chief Secretary was told, they can inform the agency about which areas are sensitive, where and what is happening at what time… Central agencies are conducting operations on their own without knowing this,” Ghosh said.

State Industry Minister Sashi Panja said, “We do not encourage or support violence. But the BJP is targeting Bengal with agencies. People understand this.”