Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, has once again made headlines as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out a raid on Friday just before elections, reportedly uncovering a large cache of weapons and ammunition at a house believed to be associated with a local TMC leader. Following the discovery, the NSG's bomb squad was brought to the scene. Meanwhile, the Bengal government has taken the issue to the Supreme Court, challenging a High Court order that permitted the CBI to carry out the raid. The Supreme Court, under Justice BR Gavai, will hear the plea on April 29th.
Sandeshkhali falls under the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, with elections set for June 1st. The BJP has fielded the victim Rekha Patra from Sandeshkhali. She has suffered at the hands of the mastermind, suspended Trinamool leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his accomplices, who are currently behind bars.
Source: aajtak
The operation began when CBI officials arrived at the Sarberia region of Sandeshkhali block, with conclusive information prompting a raid at a home owned by a relative of local TMC Panchayat member Hafizul Khan. The house belongs to Abu Taleb, a relative of Hafizul Khan and considered a close associate of Shahjahan Sheikh. Abu Taleb, a Toto rickshaw driver, and his home were found to contain multiple bombs. The CBI installed a bomb-scanning device to facilitate the operation, which a central security forces' team of ten supported.
After discovering an arsenal of weapons and bombs, the officials relayed the information to higher authorities. The NSG's bomb squad then conducted a search operation. More information is currently being gathered.
Previously, the CBI had registered its first FIR in the Sandeshkhali case based on a complaint forwarded through email. This FIR named five individuals while others remain unidentified. The CBI team, consisting of ten members, had visited Sandeshkhali last week to investigate atrocities against women and land grabs. During this visit, the team recorded statements from victimized families and women.
TMC Questions the Operation
The Trinamool Congress has raised questions about this operation. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh suggested that there is a premeditated conspiracy to keep the Sandeshkhali issue in the headlines and influence the polling process with orchestrated activities in Delhi. As soon as the news spreads, it ignites debates. The police need to remain more vigilant.
When Did Sandeshkhali Grab the Spotlight?
Sandeshkhali came into focus after women there accused Shahjahan Sheikh of land grabs and his associates of sexual harassment. Left and BJP parties have vehemently protested against the Mamata government. Despite attempts to prevent opposition leaders from entering by imposing Section 144, BJP leaders managed to raise issues up to the national level, putting pressure on Mamata's government to arrest all accused in the Sandeshkhali case.
Victims Met with the President
Subsequently, eleven victims of violence, including five women from Sandeshkhali, met with President Draupadi Murmu. Following this, a press conference was held where the Director of the Center for SC/ST Support and Research, Dr. Parth Biswas, indicated that Sandeshkhali, bordering Bangladesh, has seen significant infiltration over the last ten years, leading to a rapid demographic change. He implicated external forces behind the attack on the ED team without naming the TMC, suggesting that a major party backs Shahjahan Sheikh. Sheikh's actions have displaced Dalits from their land and even led to violence when tribal land leases were fought over.
