Bengal's Sandeshkhali Back In Focus As NIA Team Probing Blast Stopped By Protesters Armed With Sticks In Bhupatinagar

Individuals allegedly tried to stop the NIA's probing team from taking the accused people along with them.

Bengal: Protesters Confront NIA Officers In Sandeshkhali During Blast Case Probe (Representational Image)

Source : PTI Images

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials had to face protesters armed with sticks in West Bengal's Bhupatinagar while they were conducting investigations in a case in connection with the East Medinipur blast case, news agency ANI reported on Saturday. Individuals allegedly tried to stop the probing team from taking the accused people along with them. 

In a video posted by ANI, a team of ED officers can be seen surrounded, mocked, and attacked by protesters.

#WATCH | West Bengal: NIA officers had to face protesters in Bhupatinagar while they were carrying out an investigation in connection with the Bhupatinagar, East Medinipur blast case. People allegedly tried to stop the NIA team from taking the accused persons along with them.… pic.twitter.com/KKL33S4Plm

— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2024

The BJP hit out at the Mamata Banerjee-led government drawing a parallel with the Sandeshkhali attack where the ED officials were attacked. "Today, a team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) was attacked at Bhupatinagar in West Bengal's East Midnapore district when the officials reached there to investigate a 2022 blast case at a Trinamool Congress leader's house. This incident reminds us of what happened with ED officials in Sandeshkhali," the party spokesperson remarked.

Today, a team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) was attacked at Bhupatinagar in West Bengal's East Midnapore district when the officials reached there to investigate a 2022 blast case at a Trinamool Congress leader's house.

This incident reminds us of what happened with ED… pic.twitter.com/VAKPBUYS1w

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 6, 2024

On the other hand, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused NIA officials of assaulting villagers and remarked, "Will the women sit back if they are attacked?". 

As per reports, an NIA team was visiting Puba Medinipur concerning a probe into the blast case. ANI reported citing sources familiar with the elite anti-terror probe agency that the vehicle in which the NIA officers were travelling was allegedly vandalised. The attack came as a response after a person was being picked up in connection with the case.

In the video, several locals were purportedly seen gathering around a vehicle, trying to stop the NIA team from taking the suspect along with them. According to ANI, the villagers also pelted the vehicle with stones. 

Further details into the matter are awaited at the moment.  

An island in the Sundarbans, Sandeshkhali, has been an epicentre of political discussions in the country because several women accused a suspended TMC politician Shajahan Sheikh, and people associated with him of sexual abuse and land grabbing. Recently, the Calcutta High Court said that what has happened in Sandeshkhali is extremely "shameful". 

Earlier this year, the name of the suspended TMC leader Shahjahan surfaced first when a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) went to conduct a raid at his residence in connection with a ration scam and later was attacked by a mob. Click here to read the full report.

READ | ED Raids Multiple Locations In Bengal's Sandeshkhali In Land-Grabbing Case Against Sheikh Shahjahan

Shahjahan's association with the Trinamool Congress started in 2013. Notably, two years following the party came to power in the state, succeeding the Left Front government in 2011.

His political recognition was identified by former State Minister and TMC leader Jyoti Priya Mallick after the TMC's victory in 2011. Mallick is currently in prison due to alleged involvement in a multi-crore ration distribution scam. 

The ED recently conducted raids at the premises of the suspended TMC leader. The central probing agency carried out the action in the early morning hours of March 14.