Kolkata: In a significant development, five women from Sandeshkhali met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to West Bengal today, alleging continued threats from suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan.
The meeting occurred after Prime Minister Modi addressed a public rally in Barasat, North 24 Parganas district, where Sandeshkhali is located.
These women accused Shahjahan and his associates of sexual harassment and land grabbing, presenting their ordeal before the Prime Minister. Sources from the BJP described the women as becoming emotional during the interaction, with Modi patiently listening to them like a "father figure."
During his rally speech, Prime Minister Modi condemned the West Bengal government's handling of the Sandeshkhali violence, stating that the women of the state have been subjected to torture under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's regime.
He criticized the Trinamool Congress for allegedly protecting the accused individuals instead of addressing the grievances of the people of Bengal, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability.
Shahjahan, who has been under CID custody, was arrested on February 29 after evading authorities for 55 days following the attack on an Enforcement Directorate team on January 5 in Sandeshkhali. The ED team had gone to conduct searches at his premises in connection with an alleged ration scam.
In response to his arrest, the Trinamool Congress suspended him for six years. Additionally, the Calcutta High Court has directed the state government to hand over Shahjahan to the Central Bureau of Investigation by 4.15 pm today.
Apart from addressing the rally in Barasat, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated India's first underwater metro line in Kolkata earlier today and laid the foundation stone for multiple connectivity projects worth Rs. 15,400 crore.
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