West Bengal's Sandeshkhali on edge after violent protest against TMC leaders

Tensions have been simmering in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali village ever since hundreds of women residents took to the streets demanding the arrest of absconding TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his two aides.

On February 8, the women set afire the properties of local Trinamool Congress leaders, claiming that they were being tortured.

On February 11, the police arrested former Communist Party of India-Marxist MLA Nirpada Sardar after a complaint was lodged against 117 people involved in violence.

The party claimed that their workers were being wrongfully arrested, and threatened to launch a protest.

“We strongly protest the detention of agricultural workers’ leader Nirapada Sardar and demand the arrest of those accused of perpetrating atrocities on villagers,” Left Front chairman Biman Bose said in a statement.

CPI(M) West Bengal state secretary Mohammed Salim alleged that the local administration and police were being misused in Sandeshkhali by the ruling TMC, reports PTI news agency.

Meanwhile, the police have issued prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC and suspended internet in the area.