Sandeshkhali villagers take to streets demanding arrest of TMC leader Shahjahan, 2 associates; TMC claims villagers were ‘brainwashed’

The villagers also want North 24 Parganas zilla parishad member Shivprasad Hazra and his partner Uttam Sardar, TMC region president of Sandeshkhali panchayat, arrested.

Shahjahan has been absconding ever since the ED issued him summons in the alleged ration allotment scam.

As the police stopped the women midway, the protestors sat on the streets, claiming that the 42-year-old has encroached upon their agricultural land and has been torturing the residents.

“Sheikh Shahjahan is in the village. The police openly talk to him, then why can’t he be arrested,” asked one of the women.

“It started off on Wednesday afternoon. The villagers broke tree branches and marched against the TMC’s tyranny and the protest is continuing even now. They are demanding the arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan and his two associates Uttam Sardar and Shibu Hazra,” a local resident who is a teacher told The Indian Express on condition of anonymity.

“Uttam Sardar, Sheikh Shahjahan and Shibu Hazra should be immediately arrested. We want to stay peacefully here,” said another protestor.

TMC, however, claimed that the BJP and CPM are behind the gathering and villagers have been brainwashed.

Sheikh, widely addressed as ‘Bhai’ , had started his livelihood as a small-time worker in the fisheries of the Sandeshkhali block in North 24 Parganas district. He is presently the TMC president of Sandeshkhali unit. He is also in charge of fisheries for the district council.

On Wednesday, tension spread in the area adjacent to Sandeshkhali police station when the residents came marching with brooms and sticks to voice their protest against local TMC strongmen. Police reached the spot and brought the situation temporarily under control. However, on Thursday morning a bigger crowd gathered again in the area demanding the arrest of the TMC men.

Villages like Trimohini, Kaharpara, Dashpara and Patrapara under Sandeshkhali police station limits of Basirhat have been reeling under tension since Wednesday, the police said.

According to sources, a procession was taken out in Sandeshkhali by the local Trinamool supporters to protest against the central government. However, it took a violent turn when BJP took out a counter procession. Both sides resorted to violence and started beating each other with bamboo sticks, bricks and iron rods. Policemen were also injured in the melee, following which the police registered a suo motu case.

According to eyewitnesses, two TMC supporters jumped into the river to save themselves. Police have filed 3 First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with the violence and vandalism in the area and arrested one Trinamool worker.

The villagers lodged a complaint at Sandeshkhali police station alleging that the outsiders entered the village and beat them up.

On the other hand, Shivprasad Hazra filed a complaint alleging that a peaceful procession was attacked.

Villagers also claimed that Uttam Sardar vandalized his own house and was putting the blame on the local people who had no role in it.

“Since yesterday three FIRs have been filed. Situation is under control. Maximum deployment has been done in the area. We want to appeal to people to restrain from taking law into their hands,” a senior police officer said.

“People of Sandeshkhali and entire Bengal are tired of corruption and atrocities. The people of Bengal are protesting against these,” said Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

“We want to extend full support to the people of Sandeshkhali in whichever way they want. It is the public’s anger against all the illegal activities, corruption by TMC leaders. What is happening in Sandeshkhali now will happen in the rest of Bengal in future,” said BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar.

The villagers complained that Hazra and Uttam Sardar have been occupying the agricultural land and canal for several years. The villagers are not getting their dues. The villagers also claimed that they could not open their mouths as they were afraid of Sheikh Shahjahan.

Meanwhile, Sandeshkhali market has also been closed due to the trouble.

Last month, the Enforcement Directorate team was attacked while conducting searches at the sprawling residence of Sheikh Shahjahan at Sandeshkhali in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam. Since then the leader has been summoned twice by the agency but he hasn’t appeared even once.

“Sandeshkhali is screaming that Mamata Banerjee has to go out of power,” said Leader of Opposition Suvendhu Adhikari while commenting on the present situation of the area.