Six police personnel were injured Friday evening in North 24 Parganas district’s Sandeshkhali area after a mob attacked them while they were detaining a Trinamool Congress activist.
Clashes Erupt During Arrest Attempt in Sandeshkhali
Police went to Boyemari village in Sandeshkhali to locate Musa Mollah, who was allegedly pumping water onto land to create a fish farm in violation of court orders. Mollah had previously been summoned to the Nazat police station but did not appear.
According to a local resident, when police detained Mollah on Friday, a mob formed and began throwing stones at the officers. A senior police officer confirmed that six personnel from the Nazat police station were injured and a police vehicle was damaged.
The mob reportedly held the police captive before assisting Mollah in escaping. Reinforcements were dispatched to the scene to secure the release of the detained officers.
Nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence. Authorities are also questioning the leader and deputy leader of the Boyermari-II village panchayat, which is governed by the TMC.
This incident follows a 2024 raid by the Enforcement Directorate on the residence of Sheikh Shahjahan, a local TMC leader, related to an alleged ration distribution scam. Shahjahan, along with associates Shibaprasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar, remains in custody following his subsequent arrest.
Political Reactions
Sajal Ghosh, a leader with the BJP, stated that the incident demonstrates a lack of change in Sandeshkhali, alleging Shahjahan continues to exert control despite being imprisoned. He further claimed TMC workers were responsible for the assault and engaged in extortion, accusing the police of being subservient to the TMC.
Arup Chakraborty, a TMC leader, condemned the attack and asserted that police were acting lawfully against Mollah. He characterized the incident as a politicized “mob outrage” and criticized the opposition.
It is possible that further arrests will be made as the investigation progresses. Increased security measures could also be implemented in Sandeshkhali to prevent future clashes. The political fallout from this incident is likely to continue, with both the TMC and BJP potentially leveraging the situation for political gain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the police to go to Boyemari village?
Police went to Boyemari village to locate Musa Mollah, who was allegedly pumping water onto land to create a fish farm in violation of court orders.
How many people were injured in the attack?
Six police personnel from Nazat police station were injured in the attack, and a police vehicle was damaged.
What has been the political response to the incident?
Sajal Ghosh of the BJP claimed nothing has changed in Sandeshkhali and that Shahjahan still controls the area, while Arup Chakraborty of the TMC condemned the attack and accused the opposition of politicizing the situation.
As Sandeshkhali continues to grapple with these tensions, what steps might be taken to address the underlying issues of land disputes and allegations of misconduct?
