The West Bengal government on Monday formed a 10-member team headed by a DIG-rank woman officer to look into the allegations of sexual assault of women in Sandeshkhali.
The team will visit Sandeshkhali and speak to women who have alleged that they were sexually assaulted by members of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Women in Sandeshkhali have been protesting for days, demanding the arrest of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and aides “gang”, accusing them of forcefully capturing land and sexually harassing them.
Shajahan Sheikh, wanted since a mob attacked Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers during a raid at his residence in an alleged ration scam, has been absconding since last month.
Governor CV Ananda Bose on Monday visited Sandeshkhali, saying he was “visibly shaken by the situation”.
“What I saw was ghastly, shocking, shattering to my senses. I cannot believe this could happen in Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore’s land,” news agency PTI quoted him as saying.
Reacting to the protests, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said those responsible have been put behind the bars.
“Anyone can go to Sandeshkhali. We have no issues with that. We have already sent the state women commission team there. They returned and submitted a report. Those who have instigated violence have been arrested. The situation is being monitored closely and necessary steps are being taken,” PTI quoted the Chief Minister as saying.