Sandeshkhali 'Clear Example Of Anarchy': BJP's Suvendu Adhikari After Visit, TMC Claims 'Trying To Communalise'

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari talked to the locals, including women, who narrated their spine-chilling experiences endured at the hands of local TMC leaders, including absconding Shahjahan Sheikh.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari visits Sandeshkhali

Source : PTI

New Delhi: After getting permission from the Calcutta High Court,  BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, arrived in unrest-hit Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Tuesday afternoon. He described the situation in the strife-torn area as horrific and a clear example of anarchy.

According to PTI, Adhikari, along with another BJP MLA Sankar Ghoshspoke talked to the locals, including women, who narrated their spine-chilling experiences endured at the hands of local TMC leaders, including absconding Shahjahan Sheikh. The BJP leaders, who arrived in Sandeshkhali by crossing the Kalindi River on a boat from Dhamakhal were welcomed by residents, including women, as per PTI's report. 

"The experiences narrated by the locals are spine-chilling. Their lands have been usurped, and women exploited... and everything happened with the help of the police and the administration. The situation is completely horrific and is a clear example of anarchy prevailing in the area", PTI quoted Suvendu  as saying.

Earlier in the day, the leader of the opposition in the assembly faced obstacles in his attempt to visit Sandeshkhali, as police cited prohibitory orders and the state government's legal maneuvers against a previous court ruling permitting access to the troubled area. 

However, following a division bench order from the Calcutta High Court, the police relented, allowing both the leader and his fellow BJP MLA Sankar Ghosh to proceed. Escorted by law enforcement officers, they made their way to the Dhamakhali ferry ghat, where they embarked on a boat journey across the Kalindi River to reach Sandeshkhali, as per PTI.

On Tuesday morning, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court granted permission for Adhikari to visit Sandeshkhali, upholding a previous ruling by a single bench. Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam, leading the division bench, declined to overturn the earlier decision that permitted Adhikari and BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh to visit the troubled area.

TMC Denounces BJP's Actions To 'Vitiate' Atmosphere In Sandeshkhali

The High Court's directive to Adhikari, issued on Monday when permission was initially granted, emphasised the importance of avoiding provocative speeches or actions that could escalate tensions in the volatile region. In response to Monday's order, the West Bengal government lodged an appeal before the division bench, contesting the decision to allow Adhikari's visit, reported PTI.

However, Adhikari, who was once a close confidante of the then opposition leader Mamata Banerjee during the days of the anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram in 2007-08, was seen visiting houses and speaking to locals in Sandeshkhali.He switched over to the BJP ahead of the 2021 assembly polls.

The TMC swiftly denounced the BJP leader's actions, labeling them as an attempt to "vitiate the atmosphere" and accusing the opposition party of communalising the issue. "BJP is trying to communalise the issue and vitiate the atmosphere. The BJP is spreading canards against the state government", TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, as per PTI.

Notably, Sandeshkhali witnessed a series of protests after local women accused Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of land-grab and sexually assaulting them under coercion. Shajahan has been absconding after a mob, allegedly affiliated with him, attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to search his premises in connection with a ration scam on January 5.