During the unrest, residents barricaded roads with logs and set them on fire.
Following the clashes, West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar visited the area, his second visit in two days. “We will establish the rule of law. If anyone takes law in their hands, action will be taken against them,” Kumar said, after making rounds in the area.
He told the villagers that police camps will be opened in the area to address people’s complaints.
Several police teams led by ADG South Bengal Supratim Sarkar and DIG-Barasat Range Bhaskar Mukhopadhyay visited the affected areas to bring the situation under control.
The district administration imposed Section 144 in Bermajur after locals vandalised Maity’s residence and thrashed him, people in the know said.”The BJP followers have attacked me. Today a place adjacent to my home was vandalised. I informed the police and administration,” Maity said.As police began efforts to apprehend villagers involved in arson and property destruction, women blocked the roads in protest against torture and land grab by Sheikh Shahjahan’s brother and his supporters.
In the afternoon, the protests also spread to Jhhupkhali area with villagers piling tyres and tree branches in the middle of the roads and putting them on fire. Some roads were blocked by uprooted tree trunks.
The villagers alleged some men and students were picked up, following which the administration imposed prohibitory orders.
“You will soon hear the good news. There is light at the end of the tunnel,” Governor CV Ananda Bose said in Kolkata when asked about the arrest of Shahjahan, who has been absconding.
BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said, “Humanity has been raped in Sandeshkhali. Sheikh Shahjahan will now be arrested and the Bengal chief minister will take the claim.”
Meanwhile, an NHRC team reached Sandeshkhali today to conduct an inquiry into the allegations of violation of human rights there. The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of print and electronic media reports that in Sandeshkhali, innocent and impoverished women have been allegedly harassed and sexually assaulted.
The unrest in Sandeshkhali stems from allegations against Sheikh and his supporters regarding land encroachment and sexual assault. Shahjahan has remained elusive since a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5.
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