‘Beginning of An End…’: Bengal Guv on Arrest of TMC Strongman Shahjahan Sheikh

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Thursday hailed the arrest of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and said that the development will bring an end to the ongoing violence in the state. Terming the arrest of Shahjahan an “eye-opener” for everyone, the Governor stated that strong action will be taken against the ongoing Gundaraj in Bengal.

The arrest of TMC leader and Sandeshkhali accused Shahjahan Sheikh came after the governor had given a 72-hour “deadline” to the state government.

Addressing a press conference, the West Bengal Governor said, “Today in Bengal, we see the beginning of an end. The arrest of the prime accused in the Sandeshkhali incidents is an eye-opener for everyone. This is only the beginning…”

“We have to put an end to violence in Bengal. In many pockets of Bengal, we all realise that gangsters are ruling unchecked by law enforcement agencies. What we see is only the tip of the iceberg. ‘Gundaraj’ is very much there in many pockets of Bengal. Strong action has to be taken. This has to be nipped in the bud,” the Bengal Governor added.

Highlighting the importance of democracy, Bose said, “I told you there will be light at the end of the tunnel. That is democracy. This is a lesson for everyone. Now, let’s hope a new dawn of lawfulness will come back to Bengal. I am glad that good things are happening.”

TMC’s Shahjahan Sheikh Arrested

After almost 55 days of search, TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, accused of sexual atrocities and land grab in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, was arrested on Thursday. Reportedly, Sheikh was held from the fish farming area in Minakhan.

Sheikh had been on the run since January 5 when ED officials who had gone to raid his house, in connection with the ration scam, were attacked by his followers.

Reacting to the arrest, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh praised the Bengal police for cracking down on the Sandeshkhali accused. He added that the CBI should now arrest Suvendu Adhikari and Mithun Chakraborty (both BJP leaders), who have been named in FIRs in separate cases.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, “…This is not arrest, this is a mutual adjustment. Unless the central agencies take him into their custody, the people there won’t get justice…He will get 5-star facilities in jail. He will mobile phone inside and control the area from there…”