The Kolkata Police intervened and detained Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Locket Chatterjee on Friday, along with other party leaders, as they were en route to the troubled area of Sandeshkhali. The team, comprising senior BJP leaders, aimed to visit Sandeshkhali in response to the ongoing tensions and unrest in the region.
The team, including Locket Chatterjee, MLA Agnimitra Paul, General Secretary & MLA Madhuchandra Kar, Vice-President Adv. Priyanka Tibrewal, State Secretary Sonali Murmu, State Secretary Falguni Patra, President of Mahila Morcha, and Incharge of Mahila Morcha Paromita Dutta, was scheduled to visit Sandeshkhali on the same day.
Sandeshkhali has been experiencing turmoil for over 10 days, with women protestors demanding justice for alleged atrocities committed by TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates. Accusations include “land-grab and sexual assault” under coercion. Shahjahan remains elusive, and despite efforts from state police and central agencies, he has not been apprehended.
The Calcutta High Court has recently directed a collaborative Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and West Bengal Police to investigate an assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali. The SIT is required to present its findings by February 12.
Simultaneously, a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team initiated a “spot-enquiry” into the incidents of violence in the Sandeshkhali area on Friday. The NHRC expressed concern over the reported human rights violations, describing them as a prima facie violation that shocks the conscience.
Earlier in the week, the NHRC issued a notice to the DGP, directing a report within two weeks regarding the detention of a journalist by police in Sandeshkhali. The Commission also tasked its DIG (investigation) to gather facts via telephone and submit findings within a week.