Taking a dig at the governor, Banerjee said, “Anyone can go to Sandeshkhali. We have no issues with that. We have already sent the state women’s commission team to Sandeshkhali and multiple arrests have been made. The situation is being monitored closely and necessary steps are being taken. Those who are involved in this violence, all of them will be arrested.”

Banerjee was speaking to reporters at the Dumurjala stadium in Howrah district.

Suspended Trinamool Congress leader Uttam Sardar, a close aide to absconding TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, was arrested on Sunday in Sandeshkhali following complaints that he had created trouble in the area for years. Sheikh has been absconding since a mob attacked the Enforcement Directorate officials who came to raid his home at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district last month.

The police also arrested Vikas Singh, the BJP observer in the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, for allegedly sending provocative messages to people in Sandeshkhali. And former Sandeshkhali CPM MLA Nirapada Sardar was arrested in connection with protests that have been going on in the area over the past few days.

Meanwhile, Governor Bose interacted with villagers in Sandeshkhali. He had already sought a comprehensive report on the situation in Sandeshkhali from the state government.

“When I heard shocking and shattering tales of incidents of Sandeshkhali, I cut short my visit to Kerala. I am going to Sandeskhali and want to see it myself, what the real sandesh (message) from the gullies (lanes) of Sandeshkhali,” Bose said after arriving at the airport in Kolkata.

A BJP delegation led by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari was stopped by the police from visiting Sandeshkhali as section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is in force in the area.