On Monday, the West Bengal government established a 10-member team, led by a female officer with the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), tasked with investigating the allegations of sexual assault in Sandeshkhali.
This team is scheduled to conduct a visit to Sandeshkhali and engage in discussions with women who have come forward with accusations of being sexually assaulted by members affiliated with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
In Sandeshkhali, women have been staging protests for several days, pressing for the apprehension of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates, whom they accuse of forcibly seizing land and subjecting them to sexual harassment.
Shajahan Sheikh, wanted since a violent confrontation ensued when Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials attempted to conduct a raid at his residence regarding an alleged ration scam, has been evading authorities since the previous month.
Upon visiting Sandeshkhali, Governor CV Ananda Bose expressed deep distress, stating, "What I saw was ghastly, shocking, shattering to my senses. I cannot believe this could happen in Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore's land."
In response to the ongoing protests, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured that those responsible for the disturbances have been apprehended and detained.
"Anyone is welcome to visit Sandeshkhali. We have no objections to that. We have already dispatched a team from the State Women's Commission to the area. Upon their return, they submitted a report. Individuals who incited violence have been taken into custody. We are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures," stated the Chief Minister.
Additionally, the Trinamool Congress announced that a delegation led by senior leader Partha Bhowmick would visit Sandeshkhali to evaluate the circumstances on Tuesday afternoon.
