Sandeshkhali violence: PM Modi is likely to address the women's rally in Barasat on March 7
Sandeshkhali violence: The planned rally at the North 24-Parganas district headquarters, where Sandeshkhali is located.
New Delhi: Amid the high-level political drama unfolding over the Sandeshkhali violence in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address a women's rally in Barasat, West Bengal, on March 7, BJP leaders said on Sunday. Notably, several allegations have been made of sexual abuse of women by members of the ruling Trinamool Congress in Sandeshkhali. Earlier today, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee attacked the Left, the Congress and the BJP for playing politics over the event, according to a report by news agency PTI.
The planned meeting at the headquarters of North 24-Parganas district, where Sandeshkhali is located, will take place a day before International Women's Day, they said. West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, who was here to attend the party's national convention, said the Prime Minister is likely to visit Barasat on March 7 to address a women's rally.
Majumdar was hospitalized with injuries last week when BJP workers clashed with police personnel after they were stopped from going to Sandeshkhali. The state BJP president, other party leaders and a central investigation team of the party have been prevented from visiting the area by police.
Current situation in Sandeshkhali
Sandeshkhali was tense, with a large number of women in the locality accusing Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of “land grabbing and sexual abuse” of them forcibly.
Sheikh has been in hiding since January 5, when a gang attacked Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers during a raid on his residence in connection with an alleged ration scam. Two of Sheikh's aides, who were arrested along with others on charges of gang rape and attempted murder, have been arrested.
TMC leader Shiba Prasad Hajra has been remanded to 8 days police custody
Trinamool Congress leader Shiba Prasad Hajra, one of the main accused in the alleged land grabbing and sexual harassment of women case in Sandeshkhali, was sent to judicial custody for eight days by a court in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Sunday. Hazra, who is also a member of Zilla Parishad of North 24 Parganas district, was picked up from a shelter in Sandeshkhali on Saturday.
The police arrested him under various sections of the IPC, including 354A (sexual harassment), 376D (gangrape) and 307 (attempt to murder). The last two sections were added after a survivor made her statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before a magistrate.
The police produced Hazra before a court in Basirhat and demanded ten days' custody. However, eight days of police custody were imposed. Of the other two main suspects, police arrested Uttam Sardar a week ago, while Shajahan Sheikh is absconding.
A total of 18 people have been arrested in the case so far. Villages in the Sandeshkhali area have been witnessing protests since the first week of February over allegations of sexual atrocities against women and land grabbing.
Sandeshkhali made headlines after Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials were attacked by a mob when they went to search Sheikh's premises on January 5 in connection with an investigation into an alleged ration distribution fraud.
(With input from agencies)