'Heart-Wrenching, Deeply Distressing': Chhattisgarh CM Writes To Mamata Over Sandeshkhali

He called the incidents against the women in Sandeshkhali as "heart-wrenching and deeply distressing."

Chhattisgarh CM, who comes from a tribal background himself, urged Banerjee to take stringent action against the culprits.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai wrote a letter to West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday, condemning the situation in violence-stricken Sandeshkhali. In the area, numerous tribal women have reported instances of sexual assault, while others have raised concerns about land-grabbing incidents.

Chhattisgarh CM, who comes from a tribal background himself, urged Banerjee to take stringent action against the culprits.

Taking to X, Sai wrote, "Incidents like brutal rape of more than 50 women of tribal community and snatching of tribal land in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal are shameful. I am sending a letter to the Chief Minister of West Bengal Ms. Mamata Banerjee regarding the strictest action against the culprits involved in the crime. Hope Mamata ji will take cognizance of this letter and do justice to the victims of West Bengal."

पश्चिम बंगाल के संदेशखाली में 50 से अधिक जनजाति समुदाय की महिलाओं से नृशंस दुष्कर्म, आदिवासियों की जमीन छीनने जैसी घटनायें शर्मनाक है।

वारदात में लिप्त दोषियों के विरुद्ध कड़ी से कड़ी कार्रवाई को लेकर पश्चिम बंगाल की मुख्यमंत्री सुश्री @MamataOfficial को पत्र प्रेषित कर रहा… pic.twitter.com/YxmqsGx5oW

— Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) February 27, 2024

Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24-Parganas district has been tense with a large number of women in the locality accusing TMC strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of “land-grab and sexually assaulting” them under coercion.

In the letter, Sai wrote, "In the Sandeshkhali area of your state, incidents like brutal rape of over 50 women belonging to tribal communities, snatching of land from thousands of tribals and even snatching the money for MNREGA wages have tarnished humanity. The reports given by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes are gruesome and horrifying."

He called the incidents against the women "heart-wrenching and deeply distressing."

"History bears witness that the women's empowerment movement began in the state of Bengal. In a state known for its cultural richness, with luminaries such as Swami Vivekananda, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the society cannot tolerate the atrocities inflicted upon the marginalized sections. Such oppression occurring in an enlightened state under your leadership is highly condemnable. Exploiting the lives of indigenous people, compromising their dignity and well-being, due to mere appeasement and politics of votes, is intolerable," Sai further stated.

He urged Banerjee to rise above political considerations and take action in the interest of humanity.

"As the Chief Minister of West Bengal, it is expected that you will take decisive action by issuing immediate directives for stringent punishment to the perpetrators. I urge you to take lawful action against those criminals and their political patrons, such as Shahjahan and Sirajuddin, who have been involved in criminal activities. It is hoped that, in this matter concerning the welfare of humanity, you will rise above political considerations and make decisions for the greater good," he added.