Sandeshkhali: Republic reporter Santu Pan was released today on bail, after spending two days in custody. The West Bengal Police had arrested Santu Pan on February 19 while he was reporting from the Sandeshkhali uprising location.

Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday registered a fresh case against Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh following complaints of land grabbing and extortion. Shahjahan Sheikh has been absconding since allegations of sexual harassment arose against him by tribal women in Sandeshkhali. The ED conducted raids at nearly six locations in West Bengal in its ongoing investigation against absconding Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with the alleged public distribution system (PDS) scam. The raids were conducted a day after the agency issued fresh summons to Shahjahan Sheikh to join the investigation on February 29. 

Check this space for all the updates on Sandeshkhali. 

Lawlessness Won’t Be Tolerated, Basirhat SP Says

Basirhat SP Hossain Mehedi Rehman told news agency ANI, "Today in Bemojur village panchayat area, a store room was set on fire...The police team reached the spot, doused the fire and dispersed the crowd. We want to say to the people of Sandeshkhali that this lawlessness won't be tolerated… whoever takes the law into their hands, the police will take action against them. They can give their complaints to the camps set up by the district administration or at the Police station. We assure that action on the complaints will be taken as per the law".

PMLA Court Rejects Shahajahan’s Anticipatory Bail Plea

A PMLA court today rejected the anticipatory bail petition of Sheikh Shahajahan in connection with the Sandeshkhali matter.

ED Opposes Shajahan Sheikh’s Anticipatory Bail Plea

The Enforcement Directorate has opposed an anticipatory bail prayer made by Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh before a Kolkata court in connection with the agency's probe into an alleged ration distribution scam in West Bengal, claiming that he is a very influential person. The judge reserved judgment on the anticipatory bail prayer of Sheikh following the conclusion of submissions by both parties. The agency's counsel, Deputy Solicitor General Dhiraj Trivedi submitted before the court that Sheikh is a very influential person and grant of anticipatory bail to him would severely affect the investigation.

Bengal BJP Denies Any Association With Accused Held by Police

"The West Bengal police has arrested one Sabyasachi Ghosh, on charges of running a prostitution racket in Howrah and claims that he is a BJP leader. We wish to put on record that Sabyasachi Ghosh holds no position in the party", a release by the state BJP unit said. Stressing that this is "yet another desperate attempt" by the West Bengal police "to distract from the issue of rape and torture" in Sandeshkhali in order "to protect Mamata Banerjee",  the release further stated, "the people of West Bengal want to know where is Shahjahan Sheikh?  This is the only question Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal police need to answer".

Locals Confront TMC Leader Ajit Maity

Locals confront TMC leader Ajit Maity at his house in Sandeshkhali, claiming the leader had forcibly taken land from farmers.

Fresh Round of Protests Rock Sandeshkhali Block-2

Fresh rounds of protests have started in Barmazoor Gram Panchayat 1 and 2, in Sandeshkhali Block-2 with the reports of the police randomly arresting the protesters, emerging. The cops reportedly barged into houses and picked up men, even as the women in the region protested. According to preliminary information, a police car hit and ran over a woman protestor.

They Want ‘To Kill the Women to Stop the Revolt’, Locket Chatterjee Says

Highlighting that the ‘Bengal police has run their cars over women who were abused by Shahjahan’, BJP MP Locket Chatterjee asserted that this "cannot be done without the approval of the chief minister". Claiming that they [TMC administration] want "to kill the women to stop the revolt", she questioned, “How many women can they really stop?”

Police is Arresting & Harassing Public Even Today, Sukanta Majumdar Says

Speaking on the police action against protesting villagers, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal President Sukanta Majumdar said, people are agitating against Mamata Banerjee, and the "police is arresting & harassing the public even today". “Yesterday I had visited the place and entire Sandeshkhali is boiling...the people here have faced brutality and discrimination by the police... demonstrations are going on against the TMC goons and the police as the officials are not allowing people to enter Sandeskhali”, Majumdar further said.

Mamata's Cops Tried To Run Over Us, Claim Protesters

According to reports, situation on ground has escalated in Sandeshkhali as protesters tried to confront Mamata Banerjee's police officials after they used force on the locals protesting against atrocities. Some of the protesting locals have even claimed that Mamata's cops tried to run over them while they were staging demonstrsation.

Jo darr gaye, woh mar gaye: Republic reporter narrates Sandeshkhali horror

Republic reporter Santu Pan has for the first time spoken after his arrest and subsequent release on bail. “No democracy in Sandeshkhali. There is an Emergency-like situation in Bengal. Republic will continue its fight for justice,” he said. “Mamata is muzzling the voice of the people.” He further added for the media fraternity, “Jo darr gaye, woh mar gaye” (Don't be scared). We need to fight against the atrocities in West Bengal.

Locket Chatterjee illegally arrested

In the latest update on BJP MP Locket Chatterjee, it has come to light that the leader was illegally arrested 45 kms away from Sandeshkhali, where Section 144 had not been imposed.

Women in Bermajur suffering at the hands of the police

The women in Bermajur village of Sandeshkhali were seen crying badly, lying down in front of vehicles of the West Bengal police, as if willing to sacrifice their lives. The police took away the men and sons of the crying women from their homes. The women are being punished for speaking the truth against sexual harassment.

Higher secondary exam students detained

As the protests in Sandeshkhali reached a new momentum, the West Bengal police today detained a number of local people, including some higher secondary exam students. As a result, locals got furious and began protesting massively.

Women confront West Bengal police with sticks

As the uprising in Sandeshkhali continues unabated, some women today confronted the West Bengal police under the Mamata Banerjee government with sticks.

Republic Reporter Santu Pan has emotional reunion with mother

R Bangla reporter Santu Pan, who was released from prison today, had an emotional reunion with his mother as he walked free. 

Santu Pan had been arrested on February 19 by the West Bengal police while reporting from Sandeshkhali.

PM Modi to visit West Bengal amid Sandeshkhali uprising

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting West Bengal on March 1 and 2. On the first day of his trip, the PM will be participating in public meetings and programmes.

West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar on Sandeshkhali

After his visit to Sandeshkhali this morning, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said, “None of you should take the law into your hands. If someone has committed (any) wrongdoing, let us know and we will take appropriate action against him. If the land is encroached upon, come to us and tell us. If you start protesting like this, then our work will be hindered.”

NHRC team reaches Patrapara in Sandeshkhali

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team has reached Patrapara in Sandeshkhali. The NHRC on Wednesday had issued a notice to the West Bengal government and police chief for the violence and human rights violations in Sandeshkhali. 

‘BJP is trying to benefit from the political situation of West Bengal’: Congress

On the Sandeshkhali incident, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said, "BJP is trying to benefit from the political situation of West Bengal, they are even making it severe. However, the kind of situation that has been witnessed in the state is highly condemnable. The state government is sleeping; they are still not able to arrest that one man. Sheikh Shahjahan should be arrested immediately and under the law, action needs to be taken."

Police arrest BJP leader Falguni Patra in Dhamakhali

The police have arrested BJP leader Falguni Patra in Dhamakhali, Sandeshkhali. A group of 6 members including Falguni Patra and two lawyers and doctors was blocked by a huge police barricade. This comes after the arrest of BJP MP Locket Chatterjee by the police in Kolkata while she was on her way to Sandeshkhali with other women leaders of the party.

BJP's scathing attack on Mamata Banerjee

"Our women MPS were stopped by Mamata's cops," said the BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi in a statement after BJP leader Locket Chatterjee was detained before she entered Sandeshkhali with other women leaders. The BJP claimed the party is being targeted by Mamata Banerjee's regime. “Mamata government is insensitive towards women. TMC is concerned about power. The media is being targeted under Mamata's regime,” Trivedi said. “Why is (the) Mamata-backed don a free man?” he asked aboout the absconding Sandeshkhali accused Shahjahan Sheikh.

Heavy police deployment in Sandeshkhali

The Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar met locals in Sandeshkhali amid heavy police deployment.

Republic Reporter Santu Pan walks out of jail

Republic Reporter Santu Pan has walked out of the Basirhat Lower Court, where he was presented today. Pan received bail on February 23 after his arrest on February 19 by the West Bengal police while reporting from Sandeshkhali. Santu Pan has been released from prison.

Locket Chatterjee being taken to Kolkata Police HQ

Arrested BJP MP Locket Chatterjee is being taken to Lalbazar Street, the headquarters of the Kolkata Police. 

Republic Reporter Santu Pan presented in Basirhat Lower Court

Republic Reporter Santu Pan was today presented in the Basirhat Lower Court. Pan received bail yesterday after he had been arrested by the West Bengal police while reporting from Sandeshkhali.

TMC leader's house attacked

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader's Ajit Maity's house was attacked by locals in West Bengal, as people continue to protest against the perpetrators of the Sandeshkhali atrocities who allegedly belong to TMC.   

Massive uprising in Sandeshkhali

A fresh round of revolts is taking place in Sandeshkhali today, after BJP leader Locket Chatterjee was stopped from entering the area and detained in Kolkata by the West Bengal police.

Locket Chatterjee arrested on the way to Sandeshkhali

BJP General Secretary and MP Locket Chatterjee was arrested in Kolkata today while she was on her way to Sandeshkhali along with six other women leaders of the party, say sources. It is not clear whether the other women leaders with Chatterjee were detained.

Locket Chatterjee stopped from entering Sandeshkhali

Locket Chatterjee and other BJP women leaders were stopped from entering Sandeshkhali this morning, citing Section 144. They were halted at Bhojerhat in Kolkata.

Fresh protests at Kacharipara in Sandeshkhali

There were fresh protests today in the Kacharipara area of Sandeshkhali against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. As a result, Section 144 has been imposed in nine areas under five gram panchayats of Sandeshkhali.

NHRC team reaches Sandeshkhali

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team has reached Sandeshkhali. On Wednesday, the NHRC issued a notice to the West Bengal government and police chief for the violence and human rights violations in Sandeshkhali. 

Republic Reporter Santu Pan to Walk Out of Jail Today

Republic reporter Santu Pan, who was granted bail yesterday, will walk out of jail today. Santu Pan was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 19 while reporting for R Bangla from Sandeshkhali. He was remanded to three days in custody before being granted bail.

Locket Chatterjee to visit Sandeshkhali today

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Locket Chatterjee, General Secretary and MP, will be visiting Sandeshkhali today with a delegation of BJP women leaders. The team, led by Locket Chatterjee, will include the following women leaders of the BJP: 

Agnimitra Paul, General Secretary and MLA
Dr. Madhuchandra Kar, Vice-President
Adv. Priyanka Tibrewal, State Secretary
Sonali Murmu, State Secretary
Falguni Patra, President, Mahila Morcha
Paromita Dutta, Incharge, Mahila Morcha.

The BJP women leaders will be accompanied by a set of women lawyers at Sandeshkhali.

Congress leader Udit Raj on Sandeshkhali

“Mamata Banerjee wins elections with the help of violence. Why did they stop people from visiting Sandehskhali? It means something is fishy. When an issue was made out of it, some arrests were made,” said Congress leader Udit Raj on Sandeshkhali.