ED team attacked in Bengal, TMC leader arrested during raids
An Enforcement Directorate (ED) team was reportedly attacked in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Friday. According to reports, the incident happened in the state's Sandeshkhali village, where the probe team had gone to raid locations concerning an alleged ration distribution scam. The team was attacked as it approached Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shah Jahan Sheikh's residence, who was later apprehended in the case.
Why does this story matter?
Over the past few months, ED raids have ramped up in connection to the alleged Bengal ration distribution scam. As per the probe agency, close to 30% of the Public Distribution System (PDS) ration meant for beneficiaries in the state was diverted to the open market. The proceeds of the crime were then shared between the millers and PDS distributors, the agency said. The ED arrested former Food Minister Jyotipriya Mallick in the case last October.
Angry mob vandalized vehicles belonging to government officials: Report
It is learned that more than 200 locals surrounded the probe agency officials and the central armed paramilitary forces accompanying the ED team. Furthermore, the mob also vandalized the vehicles belonging to government officials. Confirming they were safe, an ED official told reporters that the search operation had to be abandoned and they were returning to Kolkata.
Check out visuals from Sandeshkhali
Attack on ED officials in Bengal triggers condemnation
Friday's attack on ED officials triggered a massive political reaction, with several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders bashing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government. Speaking to ANI after the attack, state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar said that it's natural and obvious that the ED is taking action against those with corruption charges against them. "The attack on ED in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali shows what the Rohingya are doing to the law and order in the state," he added.
Such incidents are happening repeatedly in West Bengal: Nisith Pramanik
Union Minister Nisith Pramanik also condemned the incident, saying that no issue could be more contemptuous than attacking a central probe agency visiting a state. "It's not just an attack on the team of a central agency ED but on the entire Constitution....and federal structure of the country," said Pramanik. "In West Bengal, such incidents are happening repeatedly. We will investigate why it is happening," the BJP minister pledged.
Law and order in Bengal is in shambles: Suvendu Adhikari
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition and former TMC leader Suvendu Adhikari flagged the alleged poor state of law and order in West Bengal and called it "shambles." While labeling Friday's attack on ED officials in Sandeshkhali as "horrific," he urged Home Minister Amit Shah and state Governor CV Ananda Bose to note the "grave situation and take appropriate action to crush this anarchy."
TMC leaders facing multiple probes in Bengal
It is worth noting that Mallick and several other TMC leaders are under investigation in cases that include cattle smuggling, coal smuggling scams, school recruitment, and irregularities in civic body recruitment. In 2022, former state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee was arrested over alleged corruption in a teachers' recruitment scam case. Moreover, top TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee and his wife were questioned in the teacher recruitment and coal smuggling scam cases.
