Sandeshkhali: Tribals Tortured For Voting Against TMC, MNREGA Wages Forcibly Taken, NCST Panel Says

The NCST issued notices to the West Bengal Chief Secretary and the state's Police Chief on February 20, asking them to submit factual and action taken reports on the matter within three days.

NCST probe team has said that people were tortured in Sandeshkhali for voting against TMC ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates are accused of land grab and sexual assault under coercion, in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali area. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), led by its Vice-Chairperson Ananta Nayak, conducted an investigation into these allegations. During their inquiry, complainants revealed disturbing details about the ordeal they faced. They also claimed that the West Bengal Police failed to take action against Sheikh Shahjahan and his accomplices, effectively shielding them from accountability. According to reports, they allegedly resorted to intimidation tactics, such as forcibly taking MNREGA wages from poor tribal families and subjecting them to torture for not supporting the party. 

Notably, the probe team is back in Delhi and is in the process of filing a report, which will be sent to the government. Nayak further mentioned that the panel has received more than 50 complaints of sexual harassment of tribal women and land grab by Shahjahan and his associates, reported PTI.

Not Seen Anything Like This Across The Country: NCST Vice-Chairperson

The NCST team's investigation into Sheikh Shahjahan's activities revealed that he reportedly compelled poor tribal to hand over their MNREGA earnings or borrow money to fulfill his demands. Nayak said he has not seen anything like this across the country. The complaints, the majority of whom are Hindus, told the probe team that the accused and his associates tortured people who voted for other parties in elections, the NCST vice-chairperson said, as per PTI.

The panel learned that  Shahjahan and his associates would compel local women to attend late-night meetings, and those who resisted faced repercussions, including torture inflicted upon their family members. Shockingly, victims who sought help from the police were allegedly met with apathy, as authorities refused to file FIRs or complaints, instead advising negotiation with Shahjahan. This complicity on the part of law enforcement further exacerbated the victims' suffering, reported PTI.

Additionally, complaints received by the NCST team detailed Shahjahan's exploitation of tribal families, with reports alleging that he demanded land concessions and threatened those who objected by releasing saltwater into their fields. According to Nayak, Shahjahan is accused of illegally seizing land from over a thousand tribal and non-tribal individuals across a vast area spanning more than 10 kilometers.

In response to allegations, the NCST took action by issuing notices to the West Bengal Chief Secretary and the state's Police Chief on February 20, asking them to submit factual and action-taken reports on the matter within three days, as per PTI.

The riverine Sandeshkhali area in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district -- situated on the borders of the Sunderbans, about 100 kilometres from Kolkata has been on the boil for more than a month with protests against Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan, who is absconding, and his supporters.

BJP Trying To Score Political Brownie Points: Kunal Ghosh

Responding to the allegations put by the BJP, State Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose and Irrigation Minister Partha Bhowmick, along with Sandeshkhali MLA Sukumar Mahato, conducted a comprehensive tour of the area and engaged with villagers to address their concerns. Assuring swift action, Minister Bose affirmed, "All the issues will be resolved. All the complaints will be addressed. No wrongdoers will be spared. The police are taking stern action."

He further expressed confidence in Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stating, "The opposition might try to fish in troubled waters but the people of the area have full faith in Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee." This marks the third visit by senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders to the troubled region. Sandeshkhali's TMC MLA Sukumar Mahato, emphasizing a proactive approach in resolving land disputes, stated, "All measures are being taken to swiftly redress the grievances of the people. The party doesn’t support any wrongdoing."

Notably, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh also accused the BJP of attempting to communalise the issue and trying to score political brownie points.