West Bengal govt silences women’s voices amid violence – crackdown on Sandesh Khali: National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma

National Commission for Women (NCW) president Rekha Sharma on Monday accused the West Bengal government of silencing the voices of a large number of women in Sandeshkhali, where protests were held against the atrocities committed by the ruling TMC leaders .

During the day, she led a committee delegation to the area and said her visit was aimed at instilling confidence in local women so that many of them would come forward and speak their minds.

The NCW chief alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government was trying to “silence women’s voices so that the truth does not come out”.

“I spent the whole day in Sandesh Kali listening to women. But the culprits must be arrested. Once (Shahjahan) Sheikh is arrested, I am sure more women will come forward and complain. We must Instill confidence in them. I will talk to the police,” Sharma told reporters soon after reaching the area. A large number of women in Sandeshkhali in North Parganas 24 have accused Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of “land grabbing and sexual assault” against them under duress .

On January 5, Shah Jahan absconded after a goon allegedly associated with Shah Jahan attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who were raiding his residence over a ration scam. Shah Jahan began his visit after a two-person team of the committee took stock of Shah Jahan’s situation. conditions in the area last week and submitted a report.

The NCW chairman also claimed that neither the district magistrate nor the Inspector General of Police was present to meet her. “The government and police did not listen to the complaints of women and took no action. Only one woman came forward and registered her statement before the magistrate. We want more women to come to the front… Chief Minister Mamata Banner Ji never allowed her officials to meet the central team of officials as she was trying to hide the truth…but the truth will eventually come out,” Sharma said.

Last week, two members of the National Council on Women visited the region and submitted a report exposing a “disturbing pattern of negligence and complicity” by state and law enforcement officials.

“We want to talk to the victims and then meet the West Bengal governor and then the president in New Delhi. If one thing happens, it is shameful,” Sharma said.

She alleged that the TMC government “does not allow the state administration to collaborate with central agencies”. After a week of protests against TMC-led atrocities against villagers and sexual harassment of women, the situation in Sandeshkari is gradually returning to normalcy and police have been maintaining high alert in the area.

The TMC, however, termed NCW’s visit as “politically motivated”.

“The NCW will visit West Bengal soon. But it has never shown similar timeliness in its visits to BJP-ruled states,” TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)