WB Governor CV Ananda Bose interacts with women protesters, amid allegations of sexual assault and land grab, at Sandeshkhali, in North 24 Parganas district on Feb 12. (PTI File)
Thursday saw a protest by women, who claimed that Shahjahan Sheikh’s brother Sirajuddin, ‘Raja’ of the region, grabbed their land in Jhupkhali. They also set on fire Sirajuddin’s “hut” in the area
Amid the allegations against absconding Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali, a village located on the other side of the island near Dhamakhali — Jhupkhali – on Thursday saw a protest by women, who claimed that Sheikh’s brother Sirajuddin, ‘Raja’ of the region, grabbed their land. They also set on fire Sirajuddin’s “hut” in the area.
Villagers alleged that they saw Sheikh’s aide Akhtar and his men do “some bad work” in their area, to which they had protested. They claimed Akhtar was the one who attacked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, when they came for the raids at Sheikh’s property.
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According to villagers, Sheikh has strongmen in different corners of Sandeshkhali. If it is Shibaparasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar in Sandeskhali, then it is Sirajuddin in Jhupkhali.
WHO IS SIRAJUDDIN?
Sirajuddin, according to locals of Jhupkhali, use to run his “kingdom” in this place. Taking note of the women’s protest, senior police officers reached the spot. The women complained to the officers that Sirajuddin’s men forcefully acquired and grabbed their land.
A woman protester said, “They have taken all land, bigha after bigha. It’s theirs without paying us any money. If we say anything, they attack our husbands. Sirajuddin and his men are now coming to different villages. We don’t want them.”
One shopkeeper dropped to his knees in front of the DIG crying. “Save us from Shajahan’s men. Siraj and his men have tortured us. They will kill us. Sir, please do something.”
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Another person told News18: “They tried to set my shop on fire thrice because I said no to giving my land. They also beat me up.”
The locals’ account of terror has made it clear that Sandeshkhali 1 and Sandeshkhali 2 blocks were run by Sheikh’s “army”.
