Section 144 has been imposed in and around 500 metres of area in seven-gram panchayats in West Bengal till Monday amid apprehension of “breach of peace and probable gathering,” a government order said.
“Section 144 CrPC imposed in and around 500 metres of area in seven-gram panchayats, including Sandeshkhali gram panchayat till 19th February,” an ANI report said. Sandeshkhali is under the purview of the Basirhat police district.
The order comes amid ongoing protests by women over alleged atrocities against them by TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his aides.
Tension simmered in Basirhat subdivision, including Sandeshkhali, during a protest by BJP workers against the alleged sexual harassment of women.
The areas where the preventive measure has been imposed include Trimoni Bazar, Khulina Ghat, Bholakhali Ghat, Sandeshkhali Ghat and Patrapara in Sandershkhali GP; Gabberia Market, Daudpur and Dugripara in Durga Mandop GP; Dhuchnikhali Bazar in Korakati GP; Gopaler Ghat in Manipur GP; Situalia bazar, Khulna bazar and Hateacha bazar in Khulna GP; Dhamakali Ghat, Atapur and Pulepara in Bermajur; Azizier Ghat, Piprekhali Ghat and Haldarpara in Jeliakhali.
“Section 144 CrPC order will be valid in and around 500 metres of the following areas from 23.45 hrs 13.02.2024 to 00.00 hrs 19.02.2024,” the order read.
Responding to the orders of the West Bengal government, state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar said, "CM Mamata Banerjee and the Police are scared and trying to ensure that the Sandeshkhali incident does not come to the fore. This is the reason for the repeated imposition of section 144...Section 144 is being imposed in a way that no Opposition leader or social organisation can go there."
The protesters claim that Sheikh and his gang captured swathes of land by force, besides sexually harassing women in the area.
Sheikh, who has been absconding since last month after a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that went to raid his house in Sandeshkhali in connection with a ration scam, was attacked by a mob.