In Dhamakhali, West Bengal, the esteemed BJP figure, Suvendu Adhikari, arrived at Sandeskhali in the North 24 Parganas district on Tuesday. This visit transpired following the nod from a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, granting him permission to explore the restive region.

Adhikari depicted the state of affairs in the tumultuous locale as “horrifying,” providing a glaring instance of anarchy. He engaged with the local populace, including women, who recounted their “chilling” encounters with the local TMC leaders, notably the elusive Shahjahan Sheikh.

Upon their arrival at Sandeshkhali, traversing the Kalindi River by boat from Dhamakhali, the BJP leaders were greeted warmly by the locals, particularly the women.

“The narratives shared by the locals are spine-chilling. Their properties have been seized, and women have suffered exploitation… all transpiring with the complicity of the police and the administration. The situation is utterly harrowing, a stark manifestation of anarchy prevailing in the vicinity,” he asserted.

Adhikari, formerly a close associate of the then opposition leader Mamata Banerjee during the anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram (2007-08), was observed visiting residences and engaging with the inhabitants of Sandeshkhali. He made a political shift to the BJP in anticipation of the 2021 assembly polls.

Earlier in the day, West Bengal police obstructed Suvendu, the opposition leader in the Assembly, from visiting Sandeshkhali, citing prohibitory orders and the state government contesting a single bench order from Monday that permitted Adhikari’s visit to the troubled zone.

“The police have now sanctioned my visit, along with fellow BJP MLA Sankar Ghosh, to Sandeshkhali, in adherence to the division bench’s directive from the Calcutta High Court,” Adhikari remarked as he was escorted by law enforcers to Dhamakhali ferry ghat, embarking on a boat journey across the Kalindi River to reach Sandeshkhali. There, he received warm greetings from the locals, including women.

A division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday morning accorded Adhikari the authorization to explore Sandeshkhali. Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam, presiding over the bench, declined interference with a single bench order that facilitated Adhikari and another BJP MLA, Shankar Ghosh, to visit Sandeshkhali on Tuesday.

While granting permission on Monday, the Calcutta High Court directed Adhikari not to deliver any incendiary speeches or incite law and order issues in the volatile region. The West Bengal government appealed before the division bench, contesting Monday’s order.

Sandeshkhali became a focal point of demonstrations after local women accused Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his followers of “land-grabbing and sexual assault” under duress.

Shajahan, purportedly associated with the mob that attacked Enforcement Directorate officials searching his premises in connection with a ration scam on January 5, remains in hiding.