MHA seeks report from West Bengal government on attacks on ED officials

The Union Home Ministry has asked for a report from the West Bengal government on Tuesday on the Sandeshkhali incident, where the Enforcement Directorate officials were attacked in the state on January 5.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the recent attack on ED, top brass of the Enforcement Directorate held a high level meeting in Kolkata with its agency officials, CRPF, NIA and BSF to chalk out future strategies about the probe and safety of the ED officials.

Acting ED director Rahul Navin also met governor CV Ananda Bose at the Raj Bhavan.


West Bengal Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobhondeb Chattoapdhyay claimed that the recent attack on ED officers was "an explosion of public grievance".

The ED Director reportedly reviewed the progress of the probe into the alleged Public Distribution System (PDS) scam and discussed safety and security concerns of the state ED officials, people in the know said. Navin held the meeting at the CGO complex office of the agency in Salt Lake with top brass of CRPF, NIA and BSF.

The future strategy to ensure security and safety to ED officials in Bengal, probing multiple cases in the state, possibility of using bullet proof jackets by CRPF, the reported involvement of Rohingyas in the attack were some of the issues that were reportedly discussed in the meeting, sources said.

Three ED officers were injured and their vehicles vandalised as supporters of Trinamool leader Shajahan Sheikh attacked them last Friday. Their mobiles, laptops and wallets were “looted” when they reached North 24 Parganas district's Sandeshkhali to search the premises of Sheikh.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee without naming ED, said at the programme today that people should be cautious about keeping their golds as some may sneak and "they will not give seizure list."

Meanwhile, Chattopadhyay on Tuesday courted controversy following his comments on the recent attack on ED officers. He also claimed that such attacks will take place in other parts of the country, too, where probe agencies conduct raids.

"We have seen the explosion of public grievances at one location in the state. Such incidents will happen at other places in India in future," the minister said at a programme.