'Either Partha Bhowmik Or Mamata Lying': BJP State Chief On Sandeshkhali, Demands Probe By Central Agencies

Sukanta Majumdar demanded that the case should be given to national investigation agencies and questioned why the action under Section 164 was taken if there was no rape.

West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday hit out at the Trinamool Congress over Sandeshkhali protests saying Mamata's party has been in denial mode since the beginning.

Majumdar demanded that the case should be given to national investigation agencies and questioned why the action under Section 164 was taken if there was no rape.

"The TMC has been in denial mode since the beginning... But later, the police of the TMC government recorded the statement of two women under section 164 in front of the magistrate. Why was the action under 164 was carried out if there was no rape?," Majumdar said.

"Either Partha Bhowmik is lying or Mamata Banerjee and her police are lying... The case should be given to national investigation agencies otherwise the police will suppress the matter," he added.

The BJP state chief's remarks were in response to West Bengal Minister Partha Bhowmick's statements.

After interacting with the locals of Sandeshkhali on Saturday, Partha Bhowmick said, "We have interacted with the locals today... Lands will be given back to those from whom it was snatched. The DM has also set up camps in several districts... No woman has raised the issue of assault. This is fake and it has been established today."

The BJP cited the prevention of women MPs from visiting Sandeshkhali and meeting alleged victims of atrocities.

In New Delhi, Ananta Nayak, Vice-Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), who recently visited the area stated that the panel learnt from the people Shahjahan and his followers forcibly withheld MNREGA wages from poor tribal families and subjected them to torture for voting against the TMC.

The political battle over Sandeshkhali violence doesn't seem to end as another TMC delegation will visit the trouble-torn area in North 24 Parganas district again on Sunday and speak to villagers who have been protesting against local party leaders. 

The delegation led by state irrigation minister Partha Bhowmick is expected to reach the restive area in the afternoon, a party leader said.

This will be the fourth visit to Sandeshkhali by the ruling party leaders, amid protests by villagers against alleged land grab and sexual assault on women by local TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters.