SC panel in Sandeshkhali; CM Mamata Banerjee says 17 arrested

KOLKATA: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) visited Sandeshkhali on Thursday following accusations that close aides of Trinamool politician Sheikh Shahjahan were torturing and physically abusing SC women.

In the meanwhile, Governor CV Ananda Bose recommended the creation of a task force and noted "dastardly" violence in his report to the West Bengal government. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announced on the House floor that 17 persons had been taken into custody in Sandeshkhali.

The panel, led by its Vice-Chairman Arun Halder, visited Sandeshkhali, and met the locals, district magistrate and senior police officials.


"I am told many people are not being allowed to talk to us. We need complete cooperation from the authorities. We will listen to people's issues and report to the national government. We're a constitutional body, not political. We grant Constitutional rights to the people," stated Halder

"We have heard about the inquiry. We have been given a report of the police history. Let us see what we find during the visit," Halder said.

Sandeshkhali RSS base: CM
The chief minister told the legislature that Enforcement Directorate had targeted Shahjahan in Sandeshkhali, causing disturbance. Following this, minority communities and Adivasis have split. We sent a women's police squad to listen to them, she added.

Banerjee remarked, "Sandeshkhali is a strong RSS base and riot spot." "I never tolerated injustice. She promised strong punishment for violators.

Guv calls for panel to probe violence
Calling for an end to "dastardly violence", the Governor suggested the state "constitute a Special Task Force to probe the alleged criminal nexus". He also told the state government to consider a judicial enquiry in the matter and provide ex-gratia assistance to the victims.

LS Privileges panel notice to cops
The Privileges Committee of the Lok Sabha on Thursday issued a notice to senior police officers in West Bengal on a complaint filed by the BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar, alleging misconduct, brutality and life-threatening injuries during a scuffle with uniformed personnel amid a protest against the prevailing unrest in Sandeshkhali the day before.