Sandeshkhali villagers file 73 plaints at police camp
Times of India | 25 February 2024
SANDESHKHALI: Trinamool Congress announced Saturday its investigation into complaints against fugitive party leader Sheikh Shahjahan and revealed the removal of his brother Sheikh Sirajuddin Akhtar as Sandeshkhali anchal president, reports Sanjib Chakraborty.
The decision follows escalating tensions in Bermajur in North 24 Parganas' Sandeshkhali, marked by three consecutive days of protests led by women, as complaints against Siraj flooded in, predominantly related to land grabbing.
Acknowledging internal criticism, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: "The anger is against certain individuals for their wrong attitude, highhandedness and personality-driven politics."
Sandeshkhali has been witnessing protests and retaliatory attacks since Feb 7 against associates of Shahjahan, who has evaded authorities since Jan 5 when a mob attacked and wounded three ED officers during a search operation at his home as part of an investigation into an alleged Rs 550-crore ration scam. The associates have been accused of grabbing land and misbehaving with women.
According to police reports, a total of 73 complaints were lodged at a camp set up in Bermajur, with many pointing fingers at Siraj for various alleged offences. Villagers accused Siraj and his associates of seizing their job cards. State ministers Partha Bhowmik and Sujit Bose visited the troubled zone and assured villagers.
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