Amidst the urban tapestry of Kolkata in West Bengal, the governmental authorities have reinstated the imposition of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) within an approximate radius of 500 meters, encompassing seven distinct gram panchayats, including the locale of Sandeshkhali.
This regulatory measure, extending its influence until the 19th of February, has been enacted to preserve public order, responding to the heightened tensions stemming from the BJP’s fervent protests, driven by allegations of sexual misconduct targeting women in the Sandeshkhali block.
Previously, the Calcutta High Court had rescinded the restraining orders, enacted under Section 144 (CrPC), on Tuesday, adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding events.
The political turbulence, originating from the incidents in Sandeshkhali, unleashed a wave of unrest in another segment of the state on that fateful Tuesday.
A clash ensued between law enforcement officers and supporters of the BJP, as attempts were made to flout the prohibitory directives near the SP’s office in West Bengal’s Basirhat, preceding the scheduled agitation by the party in response to the aforementioned allegations.
Under the leadership of the state chief, Sukanta Majumdar, BJP activists clashed with the police in Basirhat, vehemently opposing the restrictions imposed on their protest activities.
Law enforcement personnel resorted to charging the party workers, who, undeterred, breached barricades and infiltrated the village. The village witnessed pandemonium as the police wielded lathis to disperse the protesters.
Subsequent to these events, Sukanta Majumdar and several other workers were apprehended, only to be released later.
