Tensions escalated in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali region as Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Ajit Maity was arrested by local police on Monday. Maity, who represents Paschim Medinipur’s Pingla Assembly constituency, was detained on Sunday and formally arrested the following morning.
In response to his arrest, Maity appealed for transparency and accountability, stating, “I’m repeatedly requesting with folded hands that if I have taken away someone’s land or money, then give it in writing to the police. If I have made a mistake, I will apologize. If any evidence is found against me, I will take responsibility.”
Maity’s apprehension comes in the wake of a disturbing incident last Friday when enraged villagers chased and physically assaulted him, resulting in significant damage to his property. The incident, captured by media crews, underscored the simmering tensions in the region.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, six members of an independent fact-finding committee, including former Chief Justice of Patna High Court, Justice Narsimha Reddy, were arrested en route to Sandeshkhali. Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Saikat Ghosh explained the arrests, citing attempts by the committee to unlawfully breach police barricades.
Sandeshkhali has been roiled by allegations of land-grabbing and sexual assault, with women in the area accusing TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates of coercion and abuse. Despite efforts by both state and central agencies, Shahjahan remains at large, evading arrest.
In response to the escalating situation, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) dispatched a team to Sandeshkhali to conduct a spot inquiry and meet with victims. The NHRC expressed deep concern over the reported incidents, describing them as prima facie violations of human rights that shock the conscience.
As tensions continue to mount in Sandeshkhali, authorities face mounting pressure to address the grievances of local residents and restore peace to the troubled region. The arrests of Maity and the fact-finding committee underscore the complexity of the situation and the urgent need for resolution.
