A report released by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on April 13 shed light on disturbing allegations of gangrape involving Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders within the party’s office premises in Sandeshkhali.
According to the 11-page report, at least two women recounted to the NHRC team that they had been subjected to gangrape by TMC leaders, including Shibu Prasad Hazra, Uttam Sardar, and Amir Ali Ghazi. These incidents allegedly occurred inside the TMC party office, with the accused purportedly acting under the direction and patronage of party strongman Sheikh Shahjahan.
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The NHRC report outlines that villagers were initially hesitant to share their harrowing experiences, driven by fear. However, after establishing rapport and gaining their trust, the NHRC team succeeded in eliciting detailed accounts of the atrocities allegedly committed by the accused individuals in Sandeshkhali
Women from the village were reportedly summoned to the TMC party office under the guise of party meetings or self-help group gatherings. Once inside, they were subjected to abusive language and targeted for sexual exploitation, with young and attractive women specifically singled out. Some victims were allegedly taken to separate rooms within the TMC office and subjected to gangrape, while others were coerced into performing menial tasks.
The NHRC’s intervention in Sandeshkhali followed media reports highlighting human rights violations in the remote village located in the Sundarbans region of West Bengal. The commission took suo motu cognizance of the situation on February 21, prompting an investigation into the allegations.
Click here to download the complete report on Sandeshkhali prepared by NHRC
The women in Sandeshkhali are still living in fear, and they are reluctant to report the matter to the police. One such incident is that of a woman in Majher Para who was raped by Shibhu Prasad Hazara and Uttam Sardar.
Once the pressure mounted, Uttam Sardar was suspended by the TMC for six years and was later arrested on February 10. TMC suspended Shibu Hazra and Sheikh Shahjahan on February 18 and 29, respectively, after their arrests. Media reports indicate Amir Ali Ghazi was arrested shortly after Shahjahan.
Another horrifying story is that of a woman from Gholapara who said that her husband was taken by unknown men who knew the accused. When she reached the TMC office searching for him, the men out there tried to derobe her saree. Though she managed to escape at that point in time, later she was called to the party office where she was gangraped by Shibu Prasad Hazra and Amir Ali Ghazi.
The NHRC report has made a startling revelation in which it states that when a victim of Sheikh Shahajahan and his men went to file the police complaint, she was asked by the official to go back to the accused and compromise.
Another victim from Sandeshkhali told the NHRC team that she, along with other women, are living in such a fearful environment that they are traumatised. In order to safeguard their minor girls from atrocities, they have sent them away from Sandeshkhali to stay with their relatives.
Women and young girls are missing in Sandeshkhali
According to the data which the NHRC team accessed from the Sandeshkhali Police Station, it has been revealed that between January 2023 to February 2024, three minor girls and 37 young-adult women were untraceable, and in records, they are mentioned as ““missing female victims”.
Probe by NHRC
A National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) investigation team, led by Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, along with police officials, visited Sandeshkhali between 23 and 25 February. They interacted with residents, police officials, the Block Development Officer (BDO), and a doctor from the local hospital. The team conducted inquiries in various areas, including Majher Para/Colony Para, Patra Para, and Gholapara in Sandeshkhali, and Haldar Para in Jheliakhali.
According to a report dated 26 February, 2024, by the Sub Divisional Police Officer of Minakhan, included in the NHRC report, a total of 25 suo motu cases were registered. Seven of these cases involved alleged sexual offences against women by individuals including Sheikh Shahjahan, Shibu Hazra, and Uttam Sardar and their associates. Shahjahan is currently in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
PM Modi lashes at the opposition for its silence on Sandeshkhali
The atrocities that have been committed on the women of Sandeshkhali by the leaders of TMC, including Sheikh Shahjahan and others, have sparked outrage across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the opposition to task for remaining silent on the heinous crime that was committed against women. In his public rallies, he spoke about the atrocities that not only the women had to face but were also subject to other crimes, such as illegally grabbing their land.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen Rekha Patra, the complainant in the Sandeshkhali violence case, as its Lok Sabha candidate for the Basirhat constituency. This move comes as a significant development, showcasing the party’s commitment to addressing issues of human rights violations and providing a platform for victims to seek justice. Patra’s nomination reflects the BJP’s focus on empowering grassroots leaders and amplifying the voices of those affected by atrocities. As a symbol of resilience and courage, her candidature embodies the party’s dedication to championing the cause of justice and ensuring representation for marginalised communities in the political arena.
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