Fresh protests in Sandeshkhali

Kolkata, February 23

Fresh protests rattled Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Friday as enraged locals torched properties of TMC leaders accused of tormenting villagers besides staging protests against alleged police inaction.

During the unrest, residents barricaded roads with logs and set them on fire to block the entry of police vehicles into Jhupkhali area of Sandeshkhali. Tension persisted for the second consecutive day with reports of TMC leaders being assaulted and their residences ransacked.

Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, for the second consecutive day, went to the troubled region and pledged firm action against those responsible for the unrest.

Armed with sticks, protesters set on fire thatched structures near a fishing yard in Belmajur, directing their anger towards the elusive TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his brother Siraj. One of the torched structures reportedly belonged to Siraj.