Sandeshkhali Violence: Basirhat, Bengal, BJP Workers Battle With Police; Section 144 Implemented in Several Areas

A political tempest sparked by the simmering tensions in Bengal’s Sandeshkhali region took a violent turn in a different section of the state on Tuesday, setting off a late-night drama. When the West Bengal Police prevented the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists from conducting a demonstration, a violent altercation between them and the party’s state president Sukanta Majumdar ensued.

The conflict erupted when Majumdar and his followers boarded a local train and marched toward the Basirhat Superintendent of Police (SP) office in the same north 24 Parganas district. Prohibition orders were imposed in the city in the meanwhile due to the rising unrest in Sandeshkhali.

At midnight, the police said that the BJP-called “dharna” was unlawful and took everyone into custody, including Majumdar. The BJP leaders were reportedly brought to Basirhat Stadium before being released on PR bonds, according to reports.

SUKA WILL GO TO SANDESHKHALI
Sukanta, who is lodging in Basirhat, said on Tuesday that he would be traveling to Sandeshkhali on Wednesday. This is because the Calcutta High Court had on Tuesday overturned the prohibitory orders issued in Sandeshkhali under Section 144 of the CrPC, which had been the subject of demonstrations since last week. The BJP leader, according to reports, would not be permitted to enter the city and is anticipated to be halted at Dhamakhali.

In the meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) insisted that all is quiet in Sandeshkhali, which is under the jurisdiction of the Basirhat Police Station.

IMPOSED IN 7 GRAM PANCHAYAT AREAS: SECTION 144
Administration sources have reported that they have learned of the issuing of a new order imposing Section 144. The choice was made in response to information received by DIG Intelligence suggesting that certain external factors may cause disruption in the region. DIG Basirhat is said to have the same feedback as well. For this reason, the 7 Gram Panchayat region has been placed under Section 144.

HC ACCEPTS SUO MOTU COGNISANCE OF SEASONALLY ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS
The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday took suo motu cognizance of claims of sexual assault on women “at gunpoint” and transfer of tribal land there, expressing its “great distress” over the events in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali. It also instructed the state authorities to issue a notice.