Sandeshkhali mob attack on police injures six; nine held
Kolkata (PTI): Six policemen were injured and a police vehicle vandalised in a mob attack during an attempt to arrest a TMC worker in Sandeshkhali, once again pushing the coastal block into political focus ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
The incident occurred on Friday night when a team from Nazat police station went to Boyermari village in Sandeshkhali to arrest local TMC activist Musa Mollah in connection with alleged illegal occupation of land and water bodies for pisciculture, police said.
As officers tried to pick up Mollah from his residence and place him inside the police vehicle, a group of villagers, described by police as his supporters, allegedly blocked the car, threw stones and vandalised it.
Six policemen, including an officer, were injured and later treated at a local hospital before being discharged.
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Taking advantage of the chaos, Mollah managed to escape, police said, revising earlier information that he had been arrested.
"We have arrested nine people so far, but Musa Mollah is still absconding. Efforts are on to nab him," a senior police officer told PTI.
Earlier it was reported that Mollah was nabbed by the police.
Police sources said Mollah had been served repeated notices in a land dispute case, which he allegedly ignored.
Following complaints that agricultural land was being filled with saline water, a Basirhat sub-divisional court had imposed prohibitory orders on the disputed property.
Reinforcements were rushed to the area after the police team came under attack.
Besides arresting nine people, the police detained two local TMC leaders, including the gram panchayat pradhan and upa-pradhan of Boyermari Gram Panchayat 2, for allegedly instigating the violence, officials said.
Raids were carried out in nearby houses and CCTV footage was being examined to identify other accused, police said, adding that the situation was under control with additional forces deployed as a precaution.
The incident triggered sharp political reactions. BJP leader Sajal Ghosh said the attack reflected the "desperation and brazenness" of ruling party activists under Mamata Banerjee's government.
"From attacks on central agencies earlier to attacks on state police now, the pattern remains the same," he said.
The ruling TMC sought to distance itself from the violence. Party spokesperson Arup Chakraborty condemned the attack as "deplorable" and said the party did not support such acts.
"The police are performing their duty, and whatever action they take will have our support," he said, accusing the opposition of politicising the incident.
The clash revived memories of January 2024, when an Enforcement Directorate team was attacked in Sandeshkhali during a raid on the residence of suspended TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with the alleged ration distribution scam.
Several ED officials were injured, forcing the team to retreat.
Shahjahan who was later arrested by the CBI is currently in judicial custody, with multiple cases pending against him.
Sandeshkhali had dominated West Bengal's political narrative during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as a symbol of alleged strongarm tactics and administrative breakdown.
With Assembly polls due in 2026, Friday's attack has once again turned the region into a law-and-order and political flashpoint, sharpening the ruling-opposition battle in the run-up to the high-stakes contest.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
