Mamata's Upcoming Visit to Sandeshkhali Amid Controversy
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Kolkata, Dec 29 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, is scheduled to visit Sandeshkhali, a group of islands located in the North 24 Parganas district, on Monday. This visit comes after a prolonged period of avoidance due to a crisis stemming from accusations of sexual harassment against local women and land seizures allegedly orchestrated by her party member and local leader, Sheikh Shahjahan.
On December 26, the Chief Minister announced her intention to attend an official event on December 30 where she will distribute public service documents to 100 beneficiaries.
"On Monday, a total of 20,000 individuals will receive such documents from various camps set up for this purpose," Banerjee stated.
Concerns have been raised from various sectors, including opposition parties, regarding the Chief Minister's previous reluctance to visit Sandeshkhali, particularly after the violence earlier this year that followed protests by local women against sexual harassment and land grabbing.
Political analysts believe that Banerjee's visit to Sandeshkhali holds significant importance, as she is anticipated to make crucial announcements during her time there.
In January of this year, Sandeshkhali gained notoriety when a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, accompanied by central armed forces, attempted to conduct a raid at Sheikh Shahjahan's residence in relation to a multi-crore ration distribution scandal in West Bengal.
Following this incident, as media focus and central agency attention shifted to Sandeshkhali, local residents whose lands were reportedly taken by Shahjahan and his associates, along with women who were victims of sexual harassment, took to the streets to protest.
Currently, Shahjahan remains in judicial custody.
