ED officers attack: Opposition demands President’s rule in West Bengal after officers attacked by TMC loyalists
Calls are coming from opposition parties for imposition of the presidency in West Bengal, following an incident in which TMC supporters allegedly attacked Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers. This disturbing event brings into question the law and order of the state. The opposition members see the potential of the president’s rule as a possible solution to ensure the safety of government officials and restore peace to the area.
Calcutta: West Bengal witnessed an unfortunate event where the TMC leader’s followers attacked ED officials during a raid. This has led to political fallout, with the opposition calling for the introduction of the presidency. The state Governor, CV Ananda Bose, has shown openness to enforcing constitutional actions and responding where necessary, a report by news agency ANI showed.
Despite refuting the allegations, the ruling TMC alleged that central body officials were inciting the local community.
The controversy arose after a search by the ED officers at the residence of TMC leader Sheikh Sajahan. Unfortunately, resistance from his supporters during the operation led to significant damage to both the officers and their transportation facilities.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh claims he has committed an offence
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh on Friday said the attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) team at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district was an “effect of provocation”. Kunal Ghosh further alleged that the Central Agency is working against his party’s leader at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“What happened in Sandeskhali was a result of provocation. In West Bengal, central agencies and troops at the behest of the BJP go to the residence of one or the other TMC leader or workers to harass people, spread negative statements and provoke people. We are receiving such allegations and that is what happened in Sandeshkhali yesterday,” Ghosh said. He further said that the residence of West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, once branded a ‘thief’ by his own party, had not been raided.
“BJP had called Suvendu Adhikari a thief, but there was no raid on his residence, they only conducted raids on the TMC leaders’ residence…” the TMC leader added.
On Thursday evening, an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team was attacked and its vehicles damaged in Sandeshkhali village in North 24 Parganas of West Bengal when it tried to raid the residence of block leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in connection with an alleged ration fraud case, an agency official said.
According to reports, the ED conducted raids at the residence of former Bongaon Municipality chairman Shankar Adhya in Bangaon and at the house of TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with the alleged ration scam case. Sheikh Shahjahan is the fisheries and animal resources officer of North 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad and block chairman of Sandeshkhali 1.
The Trinamool Congress leader’s supporters started protesting outside the leader’s residence while the raid was underway and later a mob attacked ED officials and vandalized their cars, ED officials said.
Two department officials were injured in the incident. A member of the raiding ED team said, “Eight people reached the spot. The three of us moved away from the scene of the incident. They attacked us.’
(With input from agencies)