Section 144 reimposed around Sandeshkhali village, West Bengal

The West Bengal government has reenforced Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) within a 500-meter radius of seven gram panchayats, including Sandeshkhali, to maintain law and order amidst the BJP’s protests over allegations of sexual harassment in the area. The imposition of Section 144 will remain in effect until February 19.

The decision to reimpose Section 144 comes after the Calcutta High Court had earlier lifted the prohibitory orders imposed under the same section. The BJP’s agitation in Sandeshkhali block regarding the alleged sexual harassment of women sparked a political storm, leading to clashes between police personnel and BJP supporters in Basirhat.

The clashes occurred when BJP workers, led by state chief Sukanta Majumdar, attempted to hold a protest despite the prohibitory orders near the SP’s office in Basirhat. The situation escalated as protesters broke through barricades, prompting the police to resort to lathi-charge to disperse them. Several workers, including Sukanta Majumdar, were detained but later released.

The agitation in Sandeshkhali began due to alleged atrocities committed against women by TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates. After his release, Sukanta Majumdar accused the police of misbehaving with women party workers and stated, “The police detained us and party workers… The police misbehaved even with the women workers of the party… We will take the police to court… They treated us like thieves or criminals… The police do not obey the Constitution of the CrPC, they only listen to Mamata Banerjee.”

Majumdar had earlier alleged that TMC workers, including Sheikh Shahjahan, Shibu Hajra, and Uttam Sardar, had been raping women in Sandeshkhali for months. He stated, “In Sandeshkhali, TMC workers have been raping women for months now – Sheikh Shahjahan, Shibu Hajra, and Uttam Sardar are raping them. We had come to the SP peacefully with the demand to arrest them. If they do not arrest them in Sandeshkhali, how will the women in Sandeshkhali gain confidence?”

Locals, particularly women, have been protesting in Sandeshkhali, demanding the arrest of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh in an alleged land ration allotment scam and the alleged rape incidents.