Women in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali have been protesting for more than one week over alleged incidents of atrocities committed against them by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh and his aides. It has been alleged that women were sexually assaulted in Sandeshkhali at gun points. It has also been alleged that tribal people were made to transfer their lands  by the TMC leader.


Here's a breakdown of events in the past one week:


On Tuesday, Section 144 of CrPC was imposed in the area by the state authorities. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers clashed with the state police on Tuesday in efforts to defy prohibitory orders around the SP's office in West Bengal's Basirhat.


Amid the uproar over the alleged events, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday passed an order setting aside the promulgation of Section 144 of CrPC at Sandeshkhali, and told the state government that instead of exhausting all their efforts to stop protests by lathi-wielding village women, the police authorities need to fix their priorities better and look for the two alleged prime perpetrators of crimes, the PTI reported.


The Calcutta High Court also took suo motu cognisance over the alleged incidents of sexual assaults of women in Sandeshkhali at gun points and transfer of lands of tribal people in violation of relevant laws. A single-judge bench of Justice Apurba Sinha Ray on Tuesday expressed gross disappointment over the alleged incidents of violence against women in Sandeshkhali and issued notice to the West Bengal government.


The high court also issued notices to the Inspector General of Police, DIG of Police (Barasat Range), Superintendent of Police & District Magistrate of North 24 Parganas. Members of the National Commission for Women also visited the area and spoke to the protesting women.


Earlier on Monday, the State Governor CV Ananda Bose also visited Sandeshkhali and interacted with agitating women.


TMC's Response:


On Tuesday, a delegation of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation visited Sandeshkhali and pledged to ensure justice to the women who are victims of atrocities by absconding party leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates, PTI reported.


The TMC has accused the BJP of attempting to disrupt the state's tranquility.


West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that arrests have been made in the incident and State Women Commission has submitted a report in the matter.


TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that peace was restored in Sandeshkhali and the situation was under control. According to PTI, Ghosh criticized the BJP and the CPI (M) for allegedly instigating unrest.


"If there are a few allegations, the police, administration, and the party are taking necessary steps. BJP and CPI (M) are trying to create new provocations, and today they began vandalism, he said."


TMC's Basirhat MP Nussrat Jahan said that it is crucial to avoid politicising the situation.


“At this critical juncture, let's refrain from instigating or provoking others and instead unite to support the administration. The state government is tirelessly aiding locals, and as an elected representative, I maintain regular communication with authorities. It's crucial to avoid politicising the situation; my role is to quell the flames, not stoke them, she said." PTI quoted Jahan


What Opposition Is Saying?


On February 13, after clashes, the West Bengal police detained the BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar, along with the other workers of the party, while they were on a sit-in protest outside the SP Office in North 24 Parganas' Basirhat. They were released later that night.


Majumdar accused TMC workers Sheikh Shahjahan, Shibu Hajra and Uttam Sardar of raping women in Sandeshkhali for months.


"In Sandeshkhali, TMC workers have been raping women for months now - Sheikh Shahjahan, Shibu Hajra and Uttam Sardar are raping them. We had come to the SP peacefully with the demand to arrest them. If they do not arrest them in Sandeshkhali, how will the women in Sandeshkhali gain confidence?"ANI quoted Majumdar


Union Minister Smriti Irani slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and accused her “of being known for the genocide of Hindus".


A fact finding team appointed by BJP national president JP Nadda will visit Sandeskhali February 16. Team consisted of 1 male and five female.