New conflict arises in Sandeshkhali, Bengal as Trinamool MLA's associate targeted
PTC News Desk: A Trinamool Congress worker was allegedly hit by BJP supporters during a demonstration, causing further tension to flare up at Sandeskhali island in West Bengal today.
Near the local police station, Tatan Gayen, an aide to Trinamool MLA Sukumar Mahto, was attacked. Soon after police arrived, riot control was dispatched.
Today, the BJP arranged a protest on the island, during which its representatives claimed the Trinamool Congress government was fabricating accusations against them.
The ordinary island in north 24 parganas gained national attention after locals accused Sheikh Shahjahan, the strongman of the Trinamool party, of extortion, sexual harassment, and land grabs. Following his expulsion from Trinamool, Shahjahan is being held by the CBI in relation to an attack on Enforcement Directorate agents by a mob.
In a startling turn of events earlier in the month, a widely shared video purportedly featured local BJP leader Gangadhar Koyal asserting that there had been no rapes or incidents of sexual harassment in Sandeshkhali and that women had been persuaded to register complaints by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the Bengal Assembly. The leader in the video and the BJP have both said that the tape was edited.
In yet another shocking turn of events, a woman has claimed that individuals connected to the BJP forced her to sign a blank document, after which they falsely filed a rape accusation on her behalf.
A political brawl has broken out over the developments; the Trinamool is accusing the BJP of fabricating stories to damage its reputation in order to further its own political agenda.
Today, BJP workers protested in front of the local police station, calling for action against local leaders of the Trinamool Congress, whom they claimed were disseminating bogus videos. Rekha Patra, a resident of Sandeshkhali and the BJP candidate from Basirhat, was one of the demonstrators.
A female BJP supporter accused the local government of bringing fictitious charges against BJP members in an interview with the media. "The Trinamool government is harassing us because the ground is slipping from under their feet."
In reaction to claims that the BJP paid women to report sexual harassment, she asked, "Did Mamata Banerjee visit this location even once and witness any payment being made to us? For their honor, the mothers of Sandeshkhali have taken to the streets."
The woman who claimed that BJP leaders had falsely filed a rape allegation against her was the focus of another female protestor. "What level of wealth do they possess to assert that everything is false? If they aren't arrested, the public won't spare them."
Sukumar Mahata, a Trinamool MLA, whose aide was attacked, stated that the attack had to be started by someone. "The police station was under siege by them. They were then provoked into attacking. He asked the local media, "Is this political decency?"
Sajal Ghosh, a local BJP politician, claimed that Sandeshkhali had no laws for a period of twelve years. "Trinamool has been beating up anyone they wanted till today. After being shot to death, three of our employees went missing. Therefore, today's event cannot be deemed regrettable," he informed the press.
- With inputs from agencies
