In a disturbing turn of events reminiscent of the Sandeshkhali violence, which drew attention due to allegations of sexual harassment and land grabs by local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, West Bengal’s Santipur finds itself engulfed in a similar shadow. Here, fresh allegations have emerged against a TMC supporter for molesting women in the area.
The BJP candidate from Ranaghat, Jagannath Sarkar, has raised concerns, stating that despite multiple notifications to the administration, no action has been taken against the accused, purportedly a staunch supporter of the ruling TMC party. The incident has come to light in the Karamchapur area of Bagachapur village panchayat, within the jurisdiction of Santipur police station.
According to Sarkar, a person named Pradeep Sarkar has allegedly been engaging in indecent behaviour with women for years. “He intrudes into homes at night and molests women. Despite lodging numerous written complaints with the police, no steps have been taken. Recently, the accused was caught attempting to molest a woman, but he managed to escape upon being confronted by family members,” Sarkar voiced.
West Bengal: Another horror story like Sandeshkhali reported out of Shantipur.
As per reports, common people are complaining that for years, Trinamool leader Pradeep Sarkar comes to their house, takes photos of women, threatens to release them on the internet, and molests them… pic.twitter.com/gwQMYxJ0s0
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) April 22, 2024
Despite the filing of a written complaint against the accused at the local police station by outraged locals, including Sarkar, the accused remains at large even after 72 hours. Sarkar further alleged that the accused has been brazenly threatening the complainants with dire consequences. His visit to the area on Sunday aimed to reassure the aggrieved women of imminent action against the perpetrator.
সন্দেশখালির ছায়া শান্তিপুরে? অভিযোগ শুনলে চমকে যাবেন!
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.#Santipur | #WestBengal | #Shadow | #sandeshkhaliincident | #womanprotest | #Nadia | #LokSabhaElections2024 | #Banglanews | #madhyom | @MadhyomBangla pic.twitter.com/2HzhHvlPW2— Madhyom (@MadhyomBangla) April 22, 2024
Sanji Sarkar, a resident, recounted a harrowing incident where the accused intruded into their home under the cover of darkness and attempted to harass women. Blaming the administration’s reluctance to act on the accused’s affiliation with TMC, residents like Sanji are left feeling betrayed and vulnerable.
Jagannath Sarkar also accused the officer-in-charge of Santipur police station of having a close association with the accused, suggesting possible collusion. Threatening to escalate the matter into a larger movement if the accused is not promptly apprehended, Sarkar underscored the urgency of the situation.
The plight of Santipur’s residents underscores the urgent need for effective law enforcement and impartial justice delivery to address crimes against women, irrespective of political affiliations. As tensions simmer, all eyes remain on the authorities to ensure swift and fair resolution to the matter.
