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‘Like Osama Bin Laden would’: As Sheikh Shahjahan is finally arrested, read how he was sending voice notes taunting central agencies

OpIndia Staff
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‘Like Osama Bin Laden would’: As Sheikh Shahjahan is finally arrested, read how he was sending voice notes taunting central agencies

The West Bengal Police has finally arrested TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan accused of land grabbing and several cases of rape. The TMC leader was arrested from the Minakhan area in North 24 Parganas after weeks of protests by Sandeshkhali women.

Notably, Shahjahan had a dictatorial hold over Sandeshkhali, a village in the Basirhat constituency of North 24 Paraganas in West Bengal.

On 5th January, a violent mob of 800-1000 people attacked the team of the Enforcement Directorate, CRPF and journalists in Sandeshkhali when they arrived to conduct searches at Sheikh Shahjahan’s premises.

Sheikh Shahjahan‘s mobile location established that he was inside the house. In just minutes after the officials reached his doorstep, a large mob marched towards them with weapons, gheraoed them and started hitting them.

The ED added that the mob was suspected to have been instigated by the TMC leader. “ED officials while discharging their duties were badly attacked by crowds (suspected to be instigated by Sahajahan Sheikh and his associates). Three officers have suffered grievous injuries as the mob has marched towards the ED officials with an intention to cause death,” the central agency said.

About a month after this incident, distressed local women of Sandeshkhali took to the streets early in February demanding the arrest of TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who was absconding and two other TMC workers Shiba Prasad Hara and Uttam Sardar.

Locals stated that the TMC goon, a close aide of CM Mamata Banerjee, usurped the land of the poor villagers. Shocking revelations of rape, sexual harassment, and threats of gang rape came to light through witness and victim testimonies too.

What’s more, is that the role of the police was exposed through these testimonies wherein aggrieved women narrated how the state force under the TMC government was in cahoots with Sheikh Shahjahan and his goons.

Amidst all this, Sheikh Shahjahan was in hiding with much convenience. The TMC leader was absconding ever since the mob attack on ED.

The CBI informed the Calcutta High Court how the West Bengal Police had failed to arrest Sheikh Shahjahan even 12 days after the attack on ED and CRPF despite the TMC leader sending voice messages from underground.

The CBI likened this to Osama Bin Laden, who time and again released several voice messages while underground from 2001 to 2011.

Shockingly, even as the West Bengal Police were supposedly looking for Shahjahan, the latter was broadcasting his defying messages. In his voice message, Sheikh Shahjahan was reportedly heard advising his followers in the Sandeshkhali area not to be scared of central agencies. In the message, he also assured his followers of returning soon.

The Leader of Opposition in Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari has said that the TMC goon’s arrest is only symbolic and that he will be extended VIP treatment. The LoP, in a post on X, alleged that Shahjahan will be extended five-star facilities while in jail.

The West Bengal Police’s role in the entire saga has exposed the corrupt state of law and order in the TMC-ruled state. Inaction by the police, distrust amongst victims and locals at large towards the force and allegations of the police’s involvement have ruptured the state machinery altogether.

So deep is the distrust towards the police among locals that on 12th February, residents of Sandeshkhali village sought justice from West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and demanded strict punishment against Trinamool Congress goons.

“While you are here, we can speak up, but once you leave, the situation returns to what it was. They will continue to oppress us. Do something so that they are arrested. We demand severe punishment; we want justice,” a woman told the West Bengal Governor.

‘Cases 2-3 years old’: Bengal Police says Sheikh Shahjahan has been arrested for assault on ED, not Sandeshkhali complaints of rape and sexual assault

ANI
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‘Cases 2-3 years old’: Bengal Police says Sheikh Shahjahan has been arrested for assault on ED, not Sandeshkhali complaints of rape and sexual assault

West Bengal police said on Thursday that Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan’s arrest was in connection with an assault on officers of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) during a raid in January this year. 

“Sheikh Shahjahan, one of the principal accused in a case which happened on January 5, 2024, where ED officers were assaulted during the course of a raid they were conducting,” South Bengal ADG Supratim Sarkar said during a press conference following the arrest. 

On complaints under Section 354, the ADG said, “In this case the complaint did not pertain to 354.” He further said that Shahjahan will be produced in Basirhat court today. 

“We arrested him yesterday night from Minakha Police area. We have forwarded Sheikh Shahjahan to Basirhat court. We will ask for police remand,” the ADG said. 

On sexual assault complaints, the ADG said that there were many cases and most of them happened around two years back so investigation will take time. “Many cases after February 7,8,9, those came up then, pertain to incidents that happened 2,3 years back. So investigating them, gathering evidence takes time,” Supratim Sarkar said. 

Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested by West Bengal police on Thursday morning in connection with allegations against him in ongoing cases. He had been evading arrest by both state and central agencies for over a month. 

Shahjahan’s arrest comes three days after the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice ordered to add Sheikh Shahjahan’s name to the Sandeshkhali case. 

BJP’s Amit Malviya hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after Shahjahan’s arrest saying that the state government had been left with no option but to arrest him. Naming TMC leaders for similar cases, Malviya alleged that they ‘run similar reign of terror because they deliver votes to Mamata Banerjee’. 

“After defending Shahjahan Sheikh on the floor of West Bengal Assembly, a red faced Mamata Banerjee, left with no option, finally allowed WB Police to arrest the TMC leader, accused of sexual violence, murder, land grab and assault on government officials in #Sandeshkhali,” Malviya said in a post on X. 

“Shahjahan’s arrest, more than 50 days after he went in the hiding, a day before the PM arrives in Bengal and post Calcutta High Court’s tough stricture, raises several questions on Mamata Banerjee’s predatory politics,” the post stated. 

“Shahjahan Sheikh is not the only criminal in TMC’s rank. There are people like Saokat Molla, Jahangir Khan etc, who run similar reign of terror, with the support of WB Police, without fear of consequences, because they deliver votes to Mamata Banerjee,” he said. 

He alleged that women are not safe in Bengal under Mamata further demanding her removal. 

“It is obvious that Bengal is not safe under Mamata Banerjee, the women in particular. She needs to be ousted from power,” Malviya said. 

Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district had witnessed widespread protests against TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh this month as a section of women were seeking justice against alleged atrocities committed by the TMC leader. A large number of women in Sandeshkhali had accused Shajahan Sheikh and his close aides of “land-grab and sexual assault” under coercion.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

As Sheikh Shahjahan gets arrested, read how Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal police tried their best to deny his crimes

OpIndia Staff
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As Sheikh Shahjahan gets arrested, read how Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal police tried their best to deny his crimes

The police in West Bengal have finally ‘found’ the absconding TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and arrested him, after weeks of protests by the local women and unsuccessful attempts by the ED team.

ANI reported that the West Bengal Police arrested Sheikh Shahjahan from the Minakhan area in North 24 Parganas. The SDPO said that the TMC leader would be taken to Basirhat Court at 2 PM today (Thursday, 29th February).

The arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan has come after weeks of protests by the local women who have been voicing their outrage against the institutionalised sexual exploitation, rape, property encroachment, and corruption they have suffered at the hands of the influential TMC leader and his goons.

Interestingly, the West Bengal police have clarified that Sheikh Shahjahan has not been arrested for the sexual exploitation of women in the Sandeshkhali area. They have stated that the arrest is for the attack on ED team on January 5 and the complaints of sexual exploitation and rape are “old cases” that would need time to investigate.

The incompetency of the Bengal government machinery and the state police was so stark in the case that on 20th February, the Calcutta High Court slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led-West Bengal government for failing to arrest ‘absconding’ Sheikh Shahjahan, responsible for the violence and unrest in Sandeshkhali village. During the hearing, the court observed, “He (Sheikh Shahjahan) cannot be encouraged by State dispensation. There is a prima facie material to show he has done damage…”

“This person cannot be on the run. There will be law and order problems. He is a public representative. He cannot be defying the law. Let’s see whether he can appear before the Court,” it noted.

The BJP has been claiming that Sheikh Shahjahan has been under the protection of the state government machinery and the Mamata Banerjee government is not only helping him, but actively involved in preventing his arrest and protecting him from the ED.

On Wednesday, 28th February, just hours before Shahjahan’s arrest, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari made a sensational claim. Adhikari stated that Shahjahan was picked up in Bermajur – II Gram Panchayat area by the police, but he managed to negotiate a deal through influential mediators, and after that, he will be properly taken care of while he will be in police and judicial custody. Adhikari also stated that the ‘arrest’ will be a farce and Shahjahan will be accorded ‘5-star’ facilities in custody. He will be provided with a mobile phone to virtually run his political and financial empire.

It took 4 years for the police to make chargesheets: Calcutta HC slams Bengal police

On Monday, 26th February, the Calcutta HC had come down heavily on the police and Bengal government. “It is surprising to note that incidents in the area were reported to state police four years ago and that it has taken four years for the cases to mature into 42 chargesheets”, the High Court said.

The court further asserted, “A wrong impression has been created as if an interim order of stay of arrest has been given. There is nothing on record to say that such a stay is in place. Therefore he should be arrested.”

‘Abhishek Banerjee lied’, there was no stay order against Shahjahan’s arrest by Calcutta HC

In a blatant lie to hide the government’s unwillingness to arrest the absconding TMC leader, TMC general secretary, MP, and CM Mamata’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee had claimed that the state police ‘cannot’ arrest Sheikh Shahjahan because there is a “stay order” on his arrest by the Calcutta HC.

“TMC govt is not shielding Sheikh Shahjahan, he is protected by Calcutta High Court stay order against his arrest on an ED appeal” Banerjee had claimed. When the media asked when he was planning to visit Sandeshkhali, the MP stated that he would visit ‘when the time is right’.

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju had soon responded, saying that Banerjee is telling a blatant lie and there was no stay order or legal tangle to arrest Sheikh Shahjahan.

The Calcutta HC soon clarified the misleading claims, asserting that there is no such ‘stay’ order on Shahjahan’s arrest and the state police is free to arrest the absconding TMC leader.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam, taking a su moto case, directed the High Court registry to issue a public notice in newspapers informing that Shahjahan Sheikh is wanted by the police as he is on the run and has not been seen in public since January 5.

How Mamata Banerjee herself tried to dismiss and whitewash Sandeshkhali horror, and shame the victims

Speaking at the State Assembly on Thursday, February 15, the TMC supremo gave a clean chit to her aide Shahjahan Sheikh and instead pinned the blame on the BJP and the RSS.

Further displaying complete apathy towards the women victims who have come on camera and spoken about the atrocities meted out to them by the TMC goons, Mamata Banerjee claimed that those who are covering their faces and are speaking to the media are BJP workers and she would get them arrested.

Giving a clean chit to her aide Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters whom the local women of Sandeshkhali have accused of land-grabbing and sexually assaulting them under coercion, Mamata added that there are no records of rape with the West Bengal police. She hinted that the women of Sandheskhali have not been wronged and that this is a conspiracy hatched by the BJP to target TMC’s leader Shahjahan Sheikh.

The Bengal CM focused on claiming that the area has been a ‘bunker’ for the RSS-BJP for several years and insinuated that the claims of the women victims are fake, and floated as per a plan by the RSS-BJP.

“We are looking into the Sandeshkhali situation, no one involved in any wrongdoing will be spared, the BJPs’ target was a leader of the Trinamool Congress (Shajahan Sheikh),” Mamata Banerjee told the state Assembly. She even blamed the media, stating that the ‘fake media’ that is highlighting the issue should be ‘shut down’ and ‘real media’ should function.

On Wednesday (14th February), West Bengal Police shared from their X handle that no allegations about the rape and sexual exploitation of women have so far been received in connection to the events in Sandeshkhali.

As per reports, the West Bengal police, working at the behest of TMC supremo and CM Mamata Banerjee has been accused of shielding the accused TMC leaders, instead of taking action. Reportedly, during the protests, police accompanied the Trinamool Congress workers and harassed the protesting women.

Moreover, it emerged that instead of taking action against the accused, the WB police filed cases against relatives of victims for making complaints. This was revealed by Rekha Sharma, the chairperson of the National Commission for Women.

‘Show me video proof of rape’: TMC spokesperson Jui Biswas

On Friday (16th February) Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) spokesperson Jui Biswas asked for the video footage from West Bengal as proof of the rapes against women in Sandeshkhali. She made this bizarre statement during a debate on DD News. Biswas was participating in the program ‘5 Ki Panchayat’ on DD News with four other panelists.

When the anchor asked, “The politician who is the main accused in the Sandeshkhali case is from your party and you say that the investigation will also be done by your party only. How exactly fair it seems?”

Jui Biswas responded, “Similar cases have happened in other states. Did anybody ask such a question at that time? In Hathras, it was even proved that the rape crime did take place. Show me a single piece of evidence or a single video footage to prove that rape took place. This all is a show staged by the BJP.”

Nusrat Jahan, the filmstar TMC MP of the Bashirhat constituency under which the Sandeshkhali area comes, has been absent from the scene. She has been partying, celebrating Valentines’ Day, and attending celebrity events in her world of glitz and glamour. When questioned about the plight of women in her constituency who have been facing years of sexual exploitation and rape at the hands of a leader of her own party, Nusrat Jahan replied that she has been unable to visit Sandeshkhali because ‘Section 174’ is in place there. The TMC MP had no idea that it is ‘Section 144’ and not 174.

Background of the entire case

On 8th February this year, hundreds of women in Sandeshkhali took to the streets to protest against land grabbing, non-payment of wages, and sexual violence committed by Trinamool Congress goon Sheikh Shahjahan and his two aides Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar.

The women attacked Shahjahan’s illicitly obtained properties and set fire to a poultry farm owned by Shiba Prasad Hazra. They also surrounded the Sandeshkali police station and demanded the immediate arrest of the trio. The agitation in the village lasted for 3 days.

On 10th February, the local police imposed Section 144 in various areas in Sandeshkhali and also banned the use of the Internet in 16 panchayats scattered over the two blocks of Sandeshkhali-I and Sandeshkhali-II.

In a bid to pacify the angry villagers of Sandeshkhali, the TMC leadership suspended Uttam Sardar from the party for six years. The suspended TMC leader and Zilla Parishad member was subsequently arrested in the Sandeshkhali police station area. The police also arrested a former CPI(M) MLA named Nirpada Sardar in connection to the case on 11th February. On Friday (17th February), the police arrested TMC leader Shibu Prasad Hazra over land grabbing and sexual exploitation of women in Sandeshkhali.

The primary accused Sheikh Shahjahan, who was on the run from January 5 when the ED team coming to raid his properties in the PDS scam case was attacked and assaulted by his goons, managed to stay on the run for nearly 2 months.

Shahjahan had hit the headlines after an ED team coming to raid his residence as part of the investigation into the ration scam was brutally assaulted by a large mob. Shahjahan managed to flee on that day, and the ED’s attempts to nab him were all unsuccessful.

He started as CPI(M) leader Moslem Sheikh’s right-hand man, collecting money for him. He subsequently started to dabble in local fishing and real estate. In 2004, Sheikh entered politics as a union leader in brick kilns in Sandeshkhali. He then joined the Left regime in 2006. He joined the Trinamool Congress in 2013 and rose to prominence quickly, under the mentorship of West Bengal Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick and the then-TMC national general secretary Mukul Roy.

In 2019, Shahjahan was named in an FIR on the murder of 2 BJP workers Pradip and Sukanta Mandal. However, he faced no police action. It is reported that most of his ‘goons’ are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. He had reportedly fled to Bangladesh after the murder of Pradip and Sukanta Mandal in June 2019.

Such was the power and influence of Shahjahan in the area and amid the TMC power circles that just days before the brutal attack on the ED team, Shahjahan stood on a podium addressing his supporters and proudly announced that no ED or CBI would ever be able to touch him. Declaring his devotion to Mamata Banerjee, Sheikh Shahjahan had declared that BJP workers and supporters would be ‘executed’ after the 2024 elections.

A detailed report on Sheikh Shahjahan’s politics, crimes and career can be read here.

Pakistan enemy for BJP, not for us: Congress doubles down after allegations of Pro-Pak slogans following Naseer Hussain’s victory in Rajya Sabha polls

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan enemy for BJP, not for us: Congress doubles down after allegations of Pro-Pak slogans following Naseer Hussain’s victory in Rajya Sabha polls

On Wednesday (28th February), a member of Karnataka’s legislative council, Congress leader BK Hariprasad said that Pakistan is an enemy country only for BJP. He said that Pakistan may be an enemy for the Bharatiya Janata Party but for Congress, it is just a neighbouring country. The BJP in response said that the statement by the Congress MLC is inciting anti-national sentiments.

BK Hariprasad made this statement while replying to the allegations by the state BJP unit that ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans were raised by Congress supporters outside the assembly house on Tuesday during the celebrations of Congress candidate Naseer Hussain’s victory in the recently held Rajya Sabha elections.

While speaking inside the state’s legislative council, BK Hariprasad said, “They speak about our relationship with an enemy country. According to them, Pakistan is an enemy country. For us, Pakistan is not an enemy country; it’s our neighbouring country. Recently, they awarded the Bharat Ratna to LK Advani, who visited Jinnah’s mausoleum in Lahore and said there was no other secular leader like him. Was Pakistan not an enemy country then?”

The Karnataka state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party criticised BK Hariprasad’s remarks in a post on X. BJP Karnataka posted, “What is the attitude and position of Congress towards Pakistan – BK Hariprasad made it clear in the house. By calling Pakistan an enemy of the BJP and Pakistan a neighbour of Congress, the Karnataka Congress has made it clear that the close relationship between Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohammad Ali Jinnah continues even to the present generation.”

BJP Karnataka added, “Apart from standing by those who shouted slogans of Pakistan Zindabad in the Vidhan Sabha, words are not enough if one talks about the mindset of the Congressmen that Pakistan, which has declared war on India four times, is not an enemy nation. Anti-national sentiments like BK Hariprasad are rampant at all levels of Congress.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the BJP initiated a protest within the confines of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, claiming that supporters of Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain, following his successful election to the Rajya Sabha, had voiced pro-Pakistan slogans. They alleged that the ruling Congress was complicit in shielding the individuals involved. However, the Congress has refuted these claims, stating that their party members were merely chanting “Naseer Saab Zindabad” to commemorate Naseer Hussain’s victory, and not expressing any allegiance to Pakistan.

Haryana police’s strong action against goons in ‘farmer’ protest: To cancel passports and visas of violent elements, damage to be recovered from ‘leaders’

OpIndia Staff
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Haryana police’s strong action against goons in ‘farmer’ protest: To cancel passports and visas of violent elements, damage to be recovered from ‘leaders’

On 28th February, Haryana police announced that they had initiated the process to cancel the passports and visas of the individuals accused of breaking barricades or causing disturbances at the Punjab border during farmer protests 2.0. Terming them ‘rowdies’, Ambala Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Joginder Sharma clarified that not all protesters engaged in such behavior during the protests. Notably, the so-called farmers are set to resume their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on 29th February.

He said, “We are taking action against only those rowdies who were involved in disturbances during the farmer agitation. We have started communicating with the authorities concerned in this regard.”

The action is being taken against ‘rowdies’ who reached the border from Punjab during the agitation. They have been identified using CCTV, drone cameras, and videography. DSP Sharma said, “Through CCTV or drone cameras and videography, we have identified persons engaged in breaking barricades or causing disturbances. We have also taken numerous photographs where they are seen vandalizing properties and causing disturbances through different means.”

DSP Sharma further added that the police officials are in contact with the passport authorities and concerned embassies. He said, “We are initiating action for the cancellation of their visas and passports by accessing their photos and residential details,” Sharma added.”

On 13th February, the protesting ‘farmers’ reportedly damaged the barricades put up by the Haryana police to stop them from entering the state from Punjab. They used tractors to remove the cement and barbed wires. The police used tear gas shells and water cannons to control the agitated protesters and stop them from breaching the barricades. Later, on 23rd February, fresh clashes broke out at the Punjab-Haryana border, and Haryana police used tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. Earlier, Haryana police had announced that they had started the process of invoking the National Security Act against farmer union leaders but later decided not to proceed with it.

Farmer union leaders claim murder case registered in death of farmer Shubhkaran Singh

Farmer union leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said in a statement that they got the information about the registration of a case under Sections 302 and 114 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the alleged death of protesting farmer Shubhkaran Singh at the Khanauri Border at Patran police station. He added that the body of the deceased was taken to his native village for the last rites.

He said, “Today is the 17th day of the march at the Khanauri and Shambhu border. We have received the info that an FIR has been lodged under sections 302 and 114 of IPC (in the death of Shubhkaran Singh)… Also, today, we will take the body of the deceased (Shubhkaran Singh) to the Khanauri border, and his (Shubhkaran Singh) last rites will be performed at his native village.”

Notices of recovery put up at union leaders involved in farmer protests

As per an Indian Express report, Haryana police have pasted notices at the Haryana farmer union leaders’ houses. As per the union leaders, the notices stated that the losses caused to the public and private properties during the farmer protests would be recovered by seizing their properties and freezing bank accounts.

Spokesperson of BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) Haryana, Tejveer Singh, said, “Notices have been put up on the houses of over a dozen farmer unions’ leaders, most of them are associated with the BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) Ambala, a KMM constituent. Our phones have been put on surveillance, and police are visiting our houses because we are protesting against the government and raising our genuine demands.” He claimed not to have visited his house in Panjokra Sahib village in Ambala since 30th January. President of BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) Haryana, Amarjeer Singh, claimed such notice was pasted on his house too.

Why are farmers protesting

The farmers are protesting to get their demands fulfilled by the Union Government, including a legal guarantee of MSP, implementation of Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pension for farmers and labourers, debt waiver, no hike in electricity traffic, withdrawal of police cases, reinstatement of Land Acquisition Act, 2012, compensation for the families of farmers who allegedly died during 2020-21 farmer protests and more.

Sheikh Shahjahan in “safe custody of Mamata police”: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on TMC leader’s arrest

ANI
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Sheikh Shahjahan in “safe custody of Mamata police”: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on TMC leader’s arrest

West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday claimed that Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan is in the “safe custody of Mamata Police” as part of a ‘deal’.

Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested by West Bengal police on Thursday morning in connection with allegations of ‘sexual assault and land grab’.

The LoP, in a post on X, alleged that Shahjahan will be extended five-star facilities while in jail.

“The Scoundrel of Sandeshkhali, Seikh Shahjahan, is in the safe custody of Mamata Police since 12 am last night. He was taken away from the Bermajurr-II Gram Panchayat area, after he managed to negotiate a deal with the Mamata Police, through influential mediators, that he would be taken care of properly while in police and judicial custody,” Suvendu Adhikari said in his post.

“He will be extended 5-star facilities during his time behind bars and will have access to a mobile phone, through which he will be able to lead the Tolamool Party virtually,” he added.

“Even a bed in the Woodburn Ward will be kept ready and vacant for him if he chooses to spend some time there,” Adhikari said.
Shahjahan’s arrest comes three days after the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice ordered to add Sheikh Shahjahan to the Sandeshkhali case.

On February 26, Calcutta HC Justice asked to issue a notice in the case and said, “There is no reason to not arrest him.”

He had been evading arrest by both state and central agencies for over a month.

Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district has been witnessing widespread protests against TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh this month as a section of women were seeking justice against alleged atrocities committed by the TMC leader.

A large number of women in Sandeshkhali had accused Shajahan Sheikh and his close aides of “land-grab and sexual assault” under coercion. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

“Huge fan”: US-India Strategic Partnership Forum’s chairman John Chambers calls PM Modi world’s best leader

ANI
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“Huge fan”: US-India Strategic Partnership Forum’s chairman John Chambers calls PM Modi world’s best leader

John Chambers, the Chairman of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), expressed his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, labelling him the “best leader in the world today.”

Former tech titan Chambers highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s remarkable 76 per cent approval rating and his unique ability to build trust.

“One thing about your prime minister, and obviously I’m a huge fan. I think he’s the best leader in the world today. And I wish we had somebody like that in the US. We haven’t got a political leader who has over 50 per cent approval rating, and Prime Minister Modi has 76 per cent,” Chambers, who is known for his influential role in the tech industry, remarked during an interview with a private channel.

Chambers also emphasised the significance of a leader’s track record, relationships, and trust-building abilities. He commended PM Modi for forming relationships with every political leader in the United States, citing the Prime Minister’s ability to garner trust from the people.

“If you think about a leader, it’s about their track record. It’s about their relationships and trust. He’s formed a relationship with every political leader we’ve had in the US. The people trusting,” Chambers added.

In 2022, India and US marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The two nations enjoy a comprehensive global strategic partnership covering almost all areas of human endeavour, driven by shared democratic values, convergence of interests on various issues and vibrant people-to-people contacts.

Earlier in December, USISPF President and CEO Mukesh Aghi said diplomatic momentum gained during the visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden paved the way for a “concrete strategic roadmap” and new initiatives between India and the US in several areas.

“The diplomatic momentum gained during the visits of Prime Minister Modi and President Biden paved the way for a concrete strategic roadmap and new dialogues and initiatives in multifaceted areas such as clean energy cooperation, education, space collaboration, semiconductors, quantum computing, drone technology, artificial intelligence, with accelerated joint projects such as manufacturing GE F-414 jet engines in India, putting India in the elite club of countries with such manufacturing capability,” Aghi said.

In June last year, PM Modi travelled to the US for a State visit. US President Joe Biden had invited PM Modi for a State visit. He also addressed a joint meeting of Congress before a State dinner at the White House. Later, US President Biden travelled to India to attend the G20 Summit under India’s Presidency.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

After weeks of protest by Sandeshkhali women and HC rapping Mamata govt , Bengal police arrests TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan

OpIndia Staff
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After weeks of protest by Sandeshkhali women and HC rapping Mamata govt , Bengal police arrests TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan

After weeks of Sheikh Shahjahan attacking ED officials and the Sandeshkhali women protesting against the TMC leader for raping them and grabbing their lad, the West Bengal Police seems to have finally located the TMC leader and arrested him.

ANI reported that the West Bengal Police arrested Sheikh Shahjahan from the Minakhan area in North 24 Parganas. The SDPO said that the TMC leader would be taken to Basirhat Court at 2 PM today (Thursday, 29th February).

Popularly referred to as ‘Betaj Badshah‘ TMC’s Shahjahan Sheikh is an influential person in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, an area that is adjacent to the Bangladesh border. Women from the area have accused him and his accomplices of sexual abuse, intimidation and rape. “You may be the husband but you cannot exercise your right. They would take your wife away for nights at a stretch. They would not release the women from their captivity until they were fully satisfied. They have 20-30 goons with them. They would come in bikes and exercise their writ in the village,” a woman narrated the horrifying ordeal. 

Despite continuous protests by hundreds of victims and constant outrage by the opposition as well as the media, Mamata Banerjee’s administration took weeks to arrest the strongman. The Block Development Officer (BDO) has received more than 700 complaints against him in six days. He was also the mastermind behind the assault on Enforcement Directorate officials who had reached to execute a raid on his residence as part of an investigation into the ration scam.

The arrest of Sheikh Shahjaha comes after continuous protests by the women of Shandeshkhali, BJP and the High Court coming down heavily on Mamata Banerjee’s administration for failing to arrest the TMC leader.

On 20th February, the Calcutta High Court rapped the Mamata Banerjee-led-West Bengal government for failing to arrest ‘absconding’ Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan, responsible for the violence and unrest in Sandeshkhali village. During the hearing, the court observed, “He (Sheikh Shahjahan) cannot be encouraged by State dispensation. There is a prima facie material to show he has done damage…”

“This person cannot be on the run. Obviously, there will be law and order problem. He is a public representative. He cannot be defying law. Let’s see whether he can appear before the Court,” it noted.

The Calcutta High Court then directed the accused Trinamool Congress leader to surrender before the law enforcement authorities. “In the suo motu matter, we will ask him to surrender here… One person cannot hold entire population to ransom,” it added.

The Calcutta High Court further observed, “It is almost more than 18 days. One person who is cause for entire problem being precipitated is still on the run. We don’t know whether he is being protected or not but is not being able to be secured.”

Pertinently, only yesterday, Suvendu Adhikari had said that Sheikh Shahjahan was in the safe protection of Mamata Banerjee and her administration. It almost appears as though Adhikari’s predictions have come true.

The BJP leader claimed that he was nabbed from Bermajur – II Gram Panchayat area by the police, but he managed to negotiate a deal through influential mediators, and after that, he will be properly taken care of while he will be in police and judicial custody. Adhikari further claimed that the TMC leader will get 5-star facilities in custody.

Adhikari wrote, “The Scoundrel of Sandeshkhali – Seikh Shahjahan is in the safe custody of Mamata Police since 12 am last night. He was taken away from the Bermajur – II Gram Panchayat area, after he managed to negotiate a deal with the Mamata Police, through influential mediators, that he would be taken care of properly while in Police and Judicial Custody.”

The BJP leader added, “He will be extended 5 Star facilities during his time behind bars and will have access to a mobile phone, through which he will be able to lead the Tolamool Party virtually. Even a bed in the Woodburn Ward will be kept ready and vacant for him if he chooses to spend some time there.”

Chhattisgarh: House allotted under PM Awas Yojana converted into a church, 25 tribals convert to Christianity, Hindu organisation demands probe

OpIndia Staff
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Chhattisgarh: House allotted under PM Awas Yojana converted into a church, 25 tribals convert to Christianity, Hindu organisation demands probe

A shocking case of mass religious conversion has come to light from Chhattisgarh’s Bemetara area where more than 25 members of the tribal community converted to Christianity. As per reports, the religious conversions took place in houses built under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PM Housing Scheme). The Christian symbol ‘cross’ has been marked outside some of the houses.

Following the incident of mass religious conversion, several Hindu organisations expressed outrage and lodged a complaint with the administration. It is alleged that the tribals were converted with allurement as they were promised better healthcare and economic benefits. Notably, conversion by force or allurement is punishable by law.

According to media reports, the case pertains to the Khamhariya area of the Bemetara police station. The members of Hindu organisations discovered that five families from the Gond community, residing in Ward Number 13 had changed in terms of their worship practices and lifestyle. It was also noted that earlier these families used to go to Raipur for prayers. However, they have started visiting a house built under PM Awas Yojana which is near their own home.

It is alleged that all of them have converted this house into a church and hold daily prayers in the name of Jesus Christ. It is said that the converted families previously earned their livelihood through scrap dealing along with dancing and singing. Although their occupations are still traditional, they have all changed their lifestyle.

Hindi outlet Hari Bhoomi’s ground report reveals that those who converted to Christianity claim that going to church has helped a sick woman named Guddi. According to them, prayers at the church also helped them in increasing their income and overcoming addiction. As per Hari Bhoomi’s report, some of the individuals who have converted to Christianity are Lambha Sonvani, Basamund Jogi, Murli Jogi, and Devki Chhedaiya.

Earlier, all of them used to go to churches in cities like Durg, Raipur, Bhilai, and Kawardha for prayers. Later they turned a house built under the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme into a church. This is said to be the only ‘church’ in the entire tehsil area. Further, some books associated with the Christian faith, along with the symbol of the cross, were seen in this house.

The 25 people from five tribal families who have converted to Christianity claim that they haven’t got their caste certificates yet. They also claim that they haven’t received any benefit from government schemes. They believe that after converting, the loans they get are because of Jesus. With this money, they’ve paid for their car. They claim life has gotten better for them since they converted.

As soon as the case came to light, Hindu organisations demanded action against the group responsible for converting 25 members. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has also demanded the sealing of houses built under the PM Housing Scheme where cross symbols are present. Bemetara’s District Magistrate Ranveer Sharma has assured an investigation into the matter and appropriate action.

Modi govt constructed 3.3 crore homes for people who had the dreams of owning a permanent home: Know how PM Awas Yojana changed lives of poor

अर्पित त्रिपाठी
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Modi govt constructed 3.3 crore homes for people who had the dreams of owning a permanent home: Know how PM Awas Yojana changed lives of poor

Ten years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration are coming to a conclusion. The Lok Sabha elections will be announced within two weeks. PM Modi has become the fourth prime minister with a decade-long term. Hence it is imperative to assess his work. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is one of the most prominent programs that the prime minister has mentioned regularly in his speeches, according to analysis.

One of the most basic necessities of all people is a house, residence, dwelling or whatever one might choose to call it. The first house is believed to have been constructed around 72,000 years ago. Afterwards, many developments transpired and house construction methods also evolved. Almost 67 years have passed since our nation gained its independence in 1947, yet a sizable portion of the populace still lacked a secure roof over their heads. The nation became synonymous with thatched and straw houses.

Numerous programs were implemented in the interim, but a vast number of the citizens were unable to acquire even one house. The nation was not advanced to the point where people could construct their places and like all other sectors, the government lagged in this second as well. However, over the last few years, the situation has dramatically shifted. The ramshackle and shabby houses that formerly people even hesitated to step in disappeared from those regions of the country’s towns and cities. Brick homes have replaced the thatched roofs and the shoddy houses. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana plays the most significant part in this.

Cityscapes were transformed by the PM Awas Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) has two different kinds of schemes. One initiative is for the construction of homes in cities, while the other is for the removal of rudimentary dwellings from villages. In June 2015, the PM Awas Yojana (Urban) was introduced.

Its goal was to replace the substandard places constructed in the city’s slums and other places with concrete structures. The government started a program in metropolitan areas where the poorer segments of the population would receive Rs 2.5 lakh to build concrete houses. Under this, the beneficiary works with the government to prepare a home on his property. Some recipients obtain easy loans from the government.

According to a dashboard outlining the program, 1.18 crore houses have been cleared for building nationwide since June 2015 by the authorities. Among these, foundations of 1.14 crore have already been laid. The country’s urban areas have 80.35 lakh furnished homes. 34 lakh houses are undergoing various phases of construction at present.

The Modi administration has invested Rs 1.56 lakh crore to guarantee that every house in India’s urban areas is completely developed. The beneficiary receives the money directly into their account. The centre has declared that it will now contribute Rs 50,000 crore under the project to reach the goal of permanent houses. Furthermore, the central administration has extended this program until December 2025 to house all of India’s homeless people.

Sunita, who lives in a town panchayat in the Uttar Pradesh district of Lakhimpur Kheri has been given a house under the program. She sells flowers outside a temple. Sunita stated that her income was insufficient to build a house. “Until seven years ago, half of the house was unroofed and the other half was plastered. The lack of a sturdy roof caused a lot of problems in the rain. It also meant enduring the sun and the cold. Additionally, there was no electricity connection,” she recounted explaining the circumstances before receiving the benefits of the program.

She has been granted accommodation through this scheme. She has constructed a concrete home and demolished their primitive abode. This house was built by Sunita and her family using savings as well as implying their efforts. Sunita now resides in a permanent house. There are two rooms in it. The fact that the house is permanent has allowed them to take advantage of many more programs.

Houses with temporary roofs removed from hamlets

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) scheme was launched in 2016, a year after the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in cities. It aimed to eliminate crude houses even from the remote areas of the country and provide permanent housing to all. The government decided to carry out this program by providing Rs 1.20 lakh per household to the inhabitants of the nation’s villages. However, the amount is slightly higher in hilly regions. Technology was also used by the government for this purpose. The locations of houses were geotagged.

The country’s rural areas have received approval for 2.94 crore residences under this program as of now. Out of these, 2.57 crore houses have been constructed. The central government intends to erect 2.95 crore houses, although there is currently room for expansion. 3.24 crore people have signed up for this plan to date. In the initial year of the program, 2016 to 2017, just 2,115 homes were established, however, in 2017 to 18, 44.93 lakh homes were built under the program. This number has been rising annually ever since.

The scheme goes further in empowering women

Scheduled Caste/Tribe is the largest group to benefit from this strategy. Of the homes built under the program, 44% have been awarded to SC/ST applicants. Minorities also receive 13% of the residences. Moreover, this program has been very important in empowering women. Women have been granted joint or sole ownership in 72% of the properties that have been constructed under the program. This scheme’s benefits also materialize promptly. 77% of the homes covered under it were completed in a year.

Over 3.3 crore new homes have been built in towns and cities as a result of the program to this point. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has raised people’s living standards while also promoting social transformation. At the moment, the government wants to provide housing to those living in slums. The government is acting on these concerns in an important manner.

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