Tensions remained elevated in Sandeshkhali, an assembly
Even though Sheikh Shahjahan has eluded arrest, beginning February 7, villagers led by local women have launched violent protests over alleged harassment and exploitation by local TMC leaders.
Shahjahan faces charges ranging from money laundering to harassment. While the current West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, has blamed the tensions on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP and Congress have accused the TMC head of sheltering individuals accused of sexual abuse.
"Sheikh Shahjahan and his gang established a 'reign of terror' where the dignity and modesty of women from the SC and ST communities have been repeatedly violated," said Leader of opposition in West Bengal and BJP Nandigram MLA on X on February 11.
Who Is Sheikh Shahjahan?
Shahjahan Sheikh, 42, is known as "Bhai" and began as a part-time laborer in the fisheries of the Sandeshkhali block in North 24 Parganas near the Bangladesh border.
Sheikh started working in fisheries and brick kilns in Sandeshkhali. He is the oldest of four siblings.
Sheikh first entered politics in 2004 as a union leader at the brick kilns. His maternal uncle, Moslem Sheikh, was a local CPM leader and the panchayat chief. Shahjahan got his first breakthrough from his uncle, however, later he started distancing himself from CPM as TMC started gaining power ahead of the 2011 polls.
Sheikh, known for his fiery speeches and organisational abilities, piqued the interest of Trinamool Congress officials in 2012.
The 42-year-old worked for Mukul Roy, the then-TMC national general secretary, and Jyotipriyo Mullick, the North 24 Parganas TMC district president. He swiftly rose to power, becoming a close aide of Mullick.
Sheikh rose to prominence in 2018 as the Sarberia Agarhati Gram Panchayat's deputy head. His younger siblings are also active TMC members. They also run his company, which includes land deals.
Sheikh is also a well-known conflict resolution expert in the area, mediating family issues and land disputes.
According to a local TMC leader reported by news agency PTI, Sheikh is revered and feared in the locality. "To some, he is a messiah; to his detractors, he is a terror. He carries a Robin Hood image in the area," the TMC leader said.
Despite being involved in criminal cases, he has played a vital role in combating child trafficking, winning accolades for his efforts to designate Sarberia Agarhati gram panchayat as a 'Child-Friendly Gram Panchayat' in 2019, according to media reports.
In the aftermath of the deadly skirmishes between BJP and TMC members in Sandeshkhali during the Lok Sabha elections in June 2019, which resulted in deaths on both sides, Sheikh was accused in a murder FIR.
Wealth Of Sheikh Shahjahan
Three majestic residences in white, blue, and yellow tower over Akunjipara More, near Sandeshkali. The blue and white houses are inhabited by Shahjahan's relatives. Sheikh lived in the yellow house until he escaped ahead of the Enforcement Directorate raid, NDTV reported.
According to panchayat poll documents, Shahjahan has 17 automobiles, 43 bighas of land (about 23 acres), and jewels valued over Rs 2 crore. His bank balance was about Rs 2 crore. The strongman listed his employment as 'business' and reported an annual income of over Rs 20 lakh.
Where Is Sheikh?
The Sandeshkhali strongman has been missing since a crowd attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who sought to search his residence in Sandeshkhali in January. The new charges of harassment by women have sparked a political firestorm, prompting state police to crack down. Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar, two of Shahjahan's aides, have been detained, but he remains on the run. Rajeev Kumar, the state police chief, said a 10-member committee is looking into the Sandeshkhali occurrences.
The senior police officer stated that state police are not trying to hide anything and urged residents to come forward with their grievances. The police are also arranging camps in the region to receive complaints about land grabs and extortion.
One woman has complained of rape. Basirhat police chief HM Rehman said, "The complaints received by us from the police team in Sandeshkhali as well as the police station did not mention any cases of rape. However, in court, one woman has lodged a complaint of rape. The police will take action," NDTV reported.