North 24 Parganas (West Bengal): This river-bound remote hamlet in the Sunderbans has been at the centre of action in West Bengal for nearly two months. Since January 5, when a section of people owing allegiance to Trinamool Congress strongman Sheikh Shahjahan targeted a team of Enforcement Directorate officials when they had gone on a raid at Shahjahan's house, villagers had alleged police inaction, land-grabbing, physical abuse and harassment.
Protestors, mostly women, who had taken up sticks, tree branches and brooms had rampaged property owned by Trinamool Congress supporters. Today, as news of Shahjahan's arrest trickled in, the same women erupted in joy. Scenes of jubilation, distribution of sweets and smearing one another with gulal were witnessed in several areas of Bermojur, Natunpara, Jeliakhali and others. Many women were also seen blowing conch shells in the early hours of Sandeshkhali.
As the day progressed and it was time for the police to produce the 'mastermind of Sandeshkhali' in front of a magistrate in Basirhat court, some bizzare scenes were witnessed. Barely an hour ago Additional Director General of Police (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar had told reporters that Shahjahan was arrested late on Wednesday night from a house in Bamanpukur within the limits of Minakhan police station, around 30km from Sandeshkhali.
Around 10.40am, when finally Shahjahan was brought to the court, he appeared calm and composed. Clean shaved and dressed in crisp white shirt and trousers, paired with a half-sleeved jacket, the most-wanted man of North 24 Parganas district walked briskly along the corridor and went inside the court. There was no existence of any handcuffs or restraints, normally associated with an arrested person while produced before the court.
This prompted the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari to take to X and saying, "Told you so yesterday....Sheikh Shahjahan is in the safe custody of Mamata Police. His so-called arrest (on the basis of mutual understanding) has been declared now as the nitty-gritties of the deal between him and Mamata Police regarding the facilities he would be enjoying in lockup and prison have been finalised."
BJP's co-incharge of West Bengal and the party's IT cell head Amit Malviya also took to X and said, "Is this an arrest? B Police is escorting Sheikh Shahjahan like they would escort CM Mamata Banerjee."