After Sandeshkhali, locals in another village in West Bengal have spoken up against alleged atrocities and land grab by absconding Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his brother Sirajuddin.
Residents of Bermajur village, located in Sandeshkhali II taluka of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, have accused Sirajuddin of forcibly usurping their land and threatening them.
On Saturday, a police camp was set up in Bermajur village to receive complaints from the locals. One of the locals said his ancestral land was grabbed by Shahjahan Sheikh and his brother last year, and he was given no compensation.
"My ancestral land that our family had been cultivating for the past 30 years was taken away forcibly by Sheikh and his brother. If we protested, we would be beaten by their goons. We have lodged a complaint and want our land back," the local, Biren Sardar, told India Today TV.
Another local, Montu Sardar, hoped that the situation would improve now that a police camp was set up, and their complaints were being registered.
He said Sirajuddin forcefully grabbed their lands and turned them into fish farms. "Those who refused to give up their lands were beaten up," he said.
Bermajur was on the boil after a mob set on fire a hut on an aquaculture field that was allegedly grabbed by Sirajuddin on Friday.
Villagers also vandalised the house of TMC leader Ajit Maity in Bermajur, alleging that he was involved in land grab with Shahjahan Sheikh. The district administration has imposed Section 144 in Bermajur.
However, Maity denied any involvement and claimed that the people who vandalised his home were BJP supporters.
The fresh protests come as Sandeshkhali hit headlines after locals, especially women, accused Shahjahan and his aides of sexual harassment.
Shahjahan has been absconding since January 5 after his supporters attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to search his premises in connection with a ration scam.
Published By:
Abhishek De
Published On:
Feb 24, 2024
English (US) ·