Sandeshkhali: One Of The Accused Hazra Sent To Eight-Day Police Custody While TMC Leader Shajahan Sheikh Still On Run

The Basirhat District Court on Sunday (18 February) directed to send Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shiboprasad Hazra in police custody for eight days in connection with the Sandeshkhali incident.

Hazra was arrested yesterday as he is one of the main accused in the case of alleged land grab and sexual harassment of women in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district.

The other two prime accused are Shajahan Sheikh and Uttam Sardar. While TMC's zilla parishad member Sardar was arrested earlier from his hideout in Sandeshkhali, Sheikh is still on the run.

Sandeshkhali issue started earlier this month when women came out protesting against alleged atrocities and sexual assault against them by TMC leaders. They were joined by BJP workers later.

However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tried to downplay the issue and blamed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for inciting people. West Bengal police also said that there are "no allegations of rape."

However, the National Commission For Scheduled Castes (NCSC) submitted its report on the issue recommending President's Rule in the state and alleged that the police are acting like a party (without naming TMC) cadre.