New Delhi: A large number of women in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district have alleged that Trinamool Congress' local strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters sexually assaulted them.


Women staged protests in the area in the past few days alleging sexual harassment by the absconding TMC leader and his supporters.


He has been absconding since last month after a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that went to raid his house in connection with an alleged ration scam was attacked by a mob of his supporters.


Union Minister Smriti Irani launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, alleging that she is known for "genocide of Hindus" and is now allowing her party's workers to attack women sexually.


Chief Minister Mamata on Monday broke her silence on Sandeshkhali violence and said those responsible have been arrested.


This comes the same day Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose visited restive Sandeshkhali and said he was "shocked and shattered" by the events there.


Top Updates On Bengal Protest 



  • Speaking to reporters at Dumurjala stadium in Howrah district, Mamata said, "Anyone can go to Sandeshkhali. We have no issues with that. We have already sent the state women commission team there. They returned and submitted a report. Those who have instigated violence have been arrested. The situation is being monitored closely and necessary steps are being taken."


  • West Bengal Governor said, "What I saw was ghastly, shocking, shattering to my senses. I saw something which I should never have seen; I heard many things which I should never have heard. I cannot believe this could happen in Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore's land."





  • He said that he would "fight it out" under the provisions of the Constitution, as per the laws of the land and whatever is within his powers.


  • Smriti Irani alleged that CM Mamata Banerjee is known for the "genocide of Hindus". "That she will now allow her men to pick out Hindu young married women to rape them night after night in the TMC office cannot be articulated in mere words," she said.


  • "The question is can we as citizens be mute spectators," the Union minister said, accusing the TMC supremo of trading the dignity of vulnerable communities like scheduled castes and scheduled tribes for "political benefits".


  • Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and several other MLAs of the party were stopped from visiting the unrest-hit area, with the police citing the imposition of prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.


  • Earlier in the day, six BJP legislators including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari were suspended from the West Bengal Assembly for staging protests in the House over unrest in Sandeshkhali.