Kolkata: Hours after Trinamool Congress strongman from Sandeshkhali Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested, senior party leader Derek O’ Brien said the leadership has decided to suspend Shahjahan for six years.
Speaking to the media, Brien said, “We walk the talk. Even in the past we have set examples and we are doing so today as well.”
He added, “We dare Prime Minister Narendra Modi to suspend Suvendu Adhikari, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Narayan Rane and the others like Brij Bhushan, Ajay Teni Mishra and the Manipur CM.”
Trinamool Congress leader and influential figure in Sandeshkhali, Sheikh Shahjahan, who had been evading authorities for 55 days, was apprehended by the West Bengal Police early on Thursday.
Sheikh, along with his associates, is a prime suspect in cases involving land encroachment and sexual harassment, stemming from violent protests in Sandeshkhali island in North 24 Parganas district. His evasion began on January 5 after his supporters attacked a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials near his residence.
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The Indian Express quoted state police officers who said, “The West Bengal Police detained Sheikh Shahjahan this morning.” Shahjahan was reportedly arrested from the North 24 Parganas district after midnight and subsequently presented before the Basirhat court, where he remains in custody. Police surveillance had been ongoing for days prior to the arrest.
The police clarified that legal impediments were overcome to effectuate Sheikh’s arrest. “There was a legal mandate to apprehend Shahjahan Sheikh. However, the arrest was delayed due to a court injunction, which was subsequently lifted,” mentioned ADG (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar. He elaborated, “Sheikh was apprehended in the Minakhan police station vicinity under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 147 (rioting) and 148 (armed rioting).”
Addressing concerns, the senior police official urged opposition leaders to refrain from stoking division in Sandeshkhali. “Certain leaders, particularly from the opposition, are leveling allegations against the police, which is disheartening. It’s advisable to desist from such actions,” he remarked. Sarkar also raised questions about the ED’s involvement in the case, suggesting that pertinent details would be disclosed in court.
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