Sandeshkhali

1. Tensions escalate in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali over alleged sexual harassment of women.
2. Trinamool Congress MP Nusrat Jahan was criticized by the BJP for Valentine’s Day Instagram posts.
3. State BJP president Sukanta Majumder leads protest against reported harassment in Sandeshkhali.

Kolkata, Feb 15: Amid tensions in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali area over alleged sexual harassment of women, Trinamool Congress MP Nusrat Jahan faced criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for posting Valentine’s Day pictures on Instagram.

Tensions Rise Amid Protests

  • The BJP led by state president Sukanta Majumder organized a protest against the alleged sexual harassment of women in Sandeshkhali.
  • Clashes erupted between the police and BJP workers during the protest.
  • Meanwhile, Nusrat Jahan, the TMC MP from Basirhat, was seen celebrating Valentine’s Day with her husband Yash Dasgupta, sparking controversy.

BJP Criticizes Nusrat Jahan

  • The BJP criticized Nusrat Jahan for celebrating Valentine’s Day amid protests in Sandeshkhali.
  • They accused her of misplaced priorities, highlighting the ongoing agitation for women’s rights in the area.

Police Response and Allegations

  • The West Bengal police dismissed allegations of sexual exploitation in Sandeshkhali as “wilful misinformation”.
  • They stated that no complaints of sexual torture had been received and emphasized their commitment to investigating all allegations.
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BJP Forms Committee

  • The BJP formed a six-member committee comprising Union ministers and MPs to visit Sandeshkhali and gather information about the alleged incidents.
  • The committee, led by Union Minister Annapurna Devi, was tasked with assessing the situation, meeting with victims, and submitting a report to BJP Party president JP Nadda.

Escalating Tensions

  • Women in Sandeshkhali have been protesting against alleged atrocities committed by TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates.
  • Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar sustained injuries during a police lathi-charge amid the scuffle between police and party workers.
  • Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was reimposed in the vicinity of Sandeshkhali to maintain order.

Government Response and Governor’s Report

  • The Trinamool Congress accused the BJP of attempting to disrupt the peace in Sandeshkhali.
  • West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose submitted a report to the Ministry of Home Affairs, blaming law enforcement for colluding with “rowdy elements” in the area and endorsing demands for a special investigative team.

The situation in Sandeshkhali remains tense as authorities work to address the grievances of the local population and maintain law and order amidst political upheaval.