Kolkata, Jan 7 (UNI) West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has directed the state government and the state police chief to immediately arrest ruling TMC leader Sahjahan Sheikh, who allegedly orchestrated attacks on a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the central armed forces, for his alleged links with terrorists.
“On receipt of several complaints at the Peace Room (Raj Bhavan) that Sahjahan Sheikh is supported by some political leaders with the connivance of some police officers, the Governor instructed the (state) police chief to arrest the culprit forthwith and report compliance. Failing which, his whereabouts may be ascertained and appropriate action taken. The complaint that he has crossed the border and he has liaison with terrorists may be enquired into immediately,” the Raj Bhawan said in a statement late on Saturday night.
The Governor on Friday accused the state machinery of not taking action when the ED officials and CRPF personnel were beaten up during a raid at Sahjahan Sheikh’s home at Sarberia in Sandeshkhali of North 24 Parganas district earlier in the day.
The ED, probing the money laundering angle of the alleged ration distribution scam following a Calcutta High Court order, on Saturday issued a lookout notice against the TMC leader.
The ED offiicals had gone to the TMC leader’s house as part of its probe into the alleged ration distribution scam. Sahjahan and was a close associate of arrested former food minister Jyotirmoy Mallick.
The ED has alerted all the airports and the border posts of the BSF in the state. The ED said during the raid the TMC leader did not open the door despite his mobile location indicating he was there.
“His mobile location at that time indicated that he was inside this house,” the central agency said in a statement.
Thereafter, within half an hour, a mob of around 800-1000 persons marched towards the ED officials with weapons such as lathis, stones, bricks. They encircled the ED officials and CRPF personnel, and suddenly started attacking them with stones and bricks. They raised slogans and manhandled the ED officials and CRPF personnel,” the ED said.
The mob also attacked the ED vehicles which were badly damaged. “7 (seven) ED officials while discharging their duties were badly attacked by crowds (suspected to be instigated by Sahjahan Sheikh and his associates). Three officers have suffered grievous injuries as the mob has marched towards the ED officials with an intention to cause death. They are being treated at the hospital., ”
Other officers had to escape from the place of the incident without conducting a search to save their lives as the mob became very violent and even chased the officials so as to deter them from performing their official duty.
“The mob also snatched/robbed/stole the personal/official belongings of the ED officials such as their mobile phones, laptop, cash, wallets, etc. Accordingly, requisite complaint has been made to jurisdictional Police for registration of FIR and necessary action against culprits,” the ED added.
