On Friday morning, a group of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials faced an attack while conducting a raid at the residence of a Trinamool Congress leader named Shahjahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
The ED team, accompanied by central forces personnel, was attempting to search Sheikh’s house in connection with alleged irregularities in the public distribution (ration) system.
However, things took a violent turn when a large crowd of locals overwhelmed the officers as they tried to open the gates of the Trinamool leader’s residence.
The ED had been investigating corruption in the public distribution system, and it’s worth noting that State Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick had been arrested by the ED last year in connection with the same scam.
According to reports, more than 200 locals, presumed to be supporters of the TMC leader, surrounded the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and armed paramilitary forces during a raid on the leader’s residence linked to the ration scam investigation.
The TMC’s loyalists encircled the officials, protested, and physically assaulted them, compelling them to leave the area.
The attack occurred when the officers attempted to open the gate, which the TMC leader refused to unlock despite repeated calls from the ED officials.
One official suffered a head injury and required hospitalization.
Throughout the day, the ED officers conducted raids at 15 locations in the state, including Sheikh Shahjahan’s residence.
He is believed to be a close associate of Jyotipriyo Mallick, who was arrested in connection with a multi-crore ration distribution scam.
West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose condemned the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials by supporters of Trinamool Congress leader Shah Jahan Sheikh, emphasizing the failure of the TMC-led state government to maintain law and order.
The Governor expressed his intention to explore constitutional options and take appropriate action in response to the incident, where ED officials were investigating an alleged ration distribution scam.
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In a stern message, Governor Bose called the incident in Sandeshkhali alarming and deplorable, stressing that it is the responsibility of a civilized government to prevent barbarism and vandalism in a democracy.
He asserted that Bengal is not a banana republic and urged the government to stop such actions in a democratic setup.
The attack occurred during an ED raid on Trinamool leader Shah Jahan Sheikh’s residence, with over 200 locals surrounding the officials and central armed paramilitary forces.
The injured officials were taken to the hospital, and the mob also vandalized government officials’ vehicles.
The incident drew strong reactions from the BJP, with the state chief Sukanta Majumdar condemning the attack and linking it to the law-and-order situation in the state.
Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, described the situation as horrific and asserted that law and order in West Bengal are in shambles.
He called for the attention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Governor CV Ananda Bose, urging them to take appropriate action against the apparent anarchy. Adhikari also demanded a National Investigation Team to probe the matter.
