Kolkata: Even after the Calcutta High Court allowed West Bengal BJP leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Shankar Ghosh to visit the violence-hit Sandeshkhali area on Monday, the authorities stopped Adhikari from boarding a vessel at Dhamakhali to reach the island on Tuesday.
Apart from Adhikari, CPM leader Brinda Karat was also stopped by the police who said a Section 144 has been clamped in the area. The BJP and the CPM then sat on separate dharnas.
Talking to the media Adhikari said, “I possess a court order, yet you’re obstructing me. This is regrettable. I’ll wait for an hour, then I’ll head back to Kolkata and bring this matter to the attention of the High Court. The actions of the Mamata Banerjee government and its police force are in defiance of the Calcutta High Court’s ruling.”
Meanwhile, Karat said, “We arrived here to meet the women as they summoned us, claiming they were attacked by Trinamool activists. Upon arrival, the police warned us of potential disturbances to peace. Such interference is intolerable.”
Later a division bench of the Calcutta High Court allowed Adhikari and Ghosh to visit Sandeshkhali. Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam said, “We will direct that two of the writers petitioners shall be allowed to move around, with no other supporters following them, only security, and abide by the conditions imposed.”
Notably, Sandeshkhali is in the midst of a turmoil after a section of women of the area protested against TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides of harassment, including sexual violence.
While two of his main aides have been arrested, Shahjahan is yet to be arrested and remains absconding.
The TMC leader, who was a mere trekker driver, is said to have amassed huge assets in just a few years. Earlier in January, when a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had raided his residence, he and his aides are said to have orchestrated an attack on the officers, leaving many injured.
