Bengal ministers visit Sandeshkhali, TMC says crimes against women news 'fake'

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh said that two West Bengal Ministers, Partha Bhowmick and Sujit Bose, visited trouble-torn Sandeshkhali on Saturday.

"No TMC delegation has gone to Sandeshkhali but the TMC Ministers Partha Bhowmick and Sujit Bose have visited the place. They are looking after the problems and allegations... In Sandeshkhali the issue of land grabbing and non-payment is real, but the news regarding the atrocities against women is fake. CPI-M and BJP in the state are doing this to malign the image of TMC," Ghosh said. 

State Fire Services Minister Bose and Irrigation Minister Partha Bhowmick, accompanied by Sandeshkhali MLA Sukumar Mahato, toured the area and spoke to the villagers, listening to their grievances.

The region has been rocked by protests over alleged land-grabbing and sexual harassment of women by local TMC leaders, including Sheikh Shajahan and his brother Sheikh Sirajuddin. Trouble started brewing in the area when a team of ED officials who conducted a raid on Shajahan's house on January 5 was attacked by a mob allegedly affiliated with the local TMC leadership. 

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC are still in force in certain parts of Sandeshkhali.