Key Takeaways
- The NCST team will investigate alleged torture and land acquisition of tribal people in Sandeshkhali.
- The team will talk to local people, including women who have narrated their grievances to central teams and politicians.
- Sahjahan Sheikh, a TMC leader, is accused of orchestrating attacks on ED and CRPF officials.
Kolkata: A four-member team of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) left for Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas on Thursday to make an on-the-spot study of the situation regarding the alleged torture of women and forcible land acquisition of the tribal people, official sources said.
The NCST team, led by vice-chairman Ananta Naik, will talk to local people, including women who have narrated their grievances to central teams and politicians. They seek immediate action against Sahjahan Sheikh, a TMC leader accused of orchestrating attacks.
The TMC strongman has been evading arrest since January 5 after being accused of orchestrating attacks on the officials’ of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CRPF jawans when the central agencies went to search his property in connection with the alleged ration (PDS) scam, in which former state food minister Jyotipriya Mallick was arrested.
Two other accused, both TMC leaders—Shibupada Hazra and Uttam Sardar were arrested by the state police for their involvement in the crimes.
The NCST has sought reports from state Chief Secretary BP Gopalika and Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar on Sandeshkhali.
The NCST demanded a comprehensive report on Sandeshkhali episodes within the next 72 hours, failing which both officials will have to personally appear in front of the commission in New Delhi.
The commission also demanded details of the action taken by the state government over complaints of sexual harassment of women.
Sources said the Chief Secretary and the DGP may visit Sandeshkhali on Thursday.
The DGP has already visited there, some 74 km south-east of Kolkata.
