West Bengal: ED Team Probing Ration Scam Attacked In Sandeshkhali, Guv Says 'If A Govt Fails...'

Condemning the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials by supporters of Trinamool Congress leader Shah Jahan Sheikh, West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose on Friday hit out at the TMC-led state government for failing to contain the law and order situation there. In a stern message to the Trinamool Congress government, Bose said that he would explore his Constitutional options and take appropriate action. The officials were reportedly probing an alleged ration distribution scam in the state.

"The ghastly incident in Sandeshkhali is alarming and deplorable. It's the duty of a civilised government to stop barbarism and vandalism in a democracy. As a Governor, I explore all my Constitutional options for appropriate action at the appropriate manner," Bose said in a voice message released from the Raj Bhavan.

He also stated that Bengal is not a banana republic and the government should stop barbarism and vandalism in a democracy.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) tweets about the situation,"ED was conducting searches on the three premises of Sahajahan Sheikh, Convenor of TMC, North 24 Parganas in case of "PDS scam of West Bengal. During the searches. On one of the premises, ED team with CRPF personnels was attacked by 800-1000 people with an intention to cause death as these people were carrying weapons such as Lathis, stones & bricks. In this incident 3 ED officials have been grievously injured. Injured ED officials are being admitted to hospital for treatment. Violent mob also snatched/robbed/stole personal/officials belongings of ED officials such as their mobile phones, laptop, cash, wallets, etc. and badly damaged some of the ED vehicles."

About the incident

A team of the federal financial investigation agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing an alleged ration distribution scam was attacked in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali on Friday. The incident took place when the team had gone to raid Trinamool leader Shah Jahan Sheikh's residence in connection with the alleged scam. It has been reported that Sheikh was later arrested in the case.

According to the details, over 200 locals surrounded the Enforcement Directorate officials and the central armed paramilitary forces, accompanying the ED team.

The injured officials were taken to a hospital.

The mob also vandalised the vehicles belonging to the government officials.

BJP's reactions 

Coming down heavily on the perpetrators, the state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar said the incident shows what the Rohingya are doing to the law and order in the state.

"There is a complaint and corruption charges against all of them. Naturally, the Enforcement Directorate will take action. The attack shows what the Rohingya are doing to the law and order in the state," he said.

Later, Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari alleged the law and order situation in West Bengal "is in shambles".

"Horrific. The Law & Order Situation in West Bengal is in shambles. ED Officials & CRPF Jawans brutally attacked in Sandeshkhali; North 24 Parganas district, while conducting Raid at TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan's house. I doubt that Rohingyas are present amongst the Anti National attackers," (sic) he wrote on X.

Further, Adhikari also urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose to take cognizance of "this grave situation and take appropriate action to crush this anarchy."

Adhikari also demanded the National Investigation Team should probe the matter.

Expressing concern, BJP leader Gaurav bhatia remarked in a press conference, "ED officials, who went for investigate in West Bengal, were attacked by TMC goons and illegal Rohingya intruders. This is shameful that West Bengal has become a synonym of 'jungle raj' under Mamata B Banerjee's rule"