Trinamool Leader Shibu Hazra Arrested After Rape Allegations By Sandeshkhali Women; BJP Reacts

The main accused in the Sandeshkhali violence, TMC leader Shibu Prasad Hazra was arrested on Saturday. He was arrested from the Najat area of ​​Basirhat in West Bengal.

Hazra, a TMC block president, had been missing since women in Sandeshkhali levelled allegations of sexual harassment and rape against him and another party member.

“Shibu Hazra has been arrested from the Najat area of ​​Basirhat in West Bengal. A total of 18 people have been arrested including Shibu Hazra. An investigation is underway based on the complaints we are receiving…We have not received any complaint against Shahjahan Sheikh… Police and force are deployed in every gram panchayat…” SP Basirhat said.

The state police chief said sections of rape were added to the FIR against him earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said Section 144 imposed in the area will be lifted in a day or two.

“…A woman has made a statement before the magistrate and we have added this thing and will bring all the perpetrators to the book whosoever he is…We will be reviewing the situation area-wise, and in a day or two, we will remove Section 144…” Kumar said.

DGP Kumar also noted that a 10-member committee of state police personnel led by two DIG rank lady officers investigated the entire area of Sandeshkhali and listened to the issues faced by the people.

“State police 10-member committee led by 2 DIG rank lady officers investigated the entire area of Sandeshkhali and listened to the issues faced by the people. A total of 17 arrests have been made in the Sandeshkhali case. Police are not trying to hide anything and we have said that necessary action will be taken. If anyone has such complaints(rape complaints), register written complaints and we will investigate…” he said.

BJP Reacts to Sandeshkhali Unrest

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while speaking at the BJP National Convention 2024 in New Delhi on Saturday, condemned the Sandeshkhali Violence.

“Whatever has happened in Sandeshkhali and the bravery with which our workers are fighting against this oppression and tyranny, I want to congratulate for this. I consider such incidents to be a stain on the civilized society. This should be strongly condemned…” he said.

BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of “supporting the criminals” in Sandeshkhali.

“We won’t say that we are extremely happy but yes, Mamata Banerjee’s Police has acknowledged. Sandeshkhali is not just in Sandeshkhali, it is all across Bengal…all under the supervision and guidance of Mamata Banerjee…she has been giving support and inspiration to these criminals because it is all give and take policy,” Agnimitra Paul said.

Sandeshkhali Row

Sandeshkhali, a small village in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, has been rocked by protests for over a week as women have alleged atrocities committed against them by a TMC strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his aides.

The indigenous women of the state have alleged sexual assault and land grabbing at the behest of Shajahan Sheikh.