'Horrific': Adhikari on Sandeshkhali situation

The leader of Opposition in West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, described as "horrific" and "emblematic of anarchy" the situation in Sandeshkhali-which has been on the boil for weeks over allegations of sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing by local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders-after visiting the trouble-torn area on Tuesday following the intervention of the Calcutta high court.

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"The experiences narrated by the locals are spine-chilling. Their land has been usurped, and women exploited... Everything happened with the help of the police and the administration," Adhikari, who was accompanied by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Shankar Ghosh, alleged after meeting villagers in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district. "The situation is horrific and is a clear example of anarchy prevailing in the area."

Both leaders reached Sandeshkhali by crossing the Kalindi river on a boat from Dhamakhali. In the morning, BJP leaders were stopped by the police, citing prohibitory orders in Sandeshkhali and the state government moving a division bench of the high court against a single bench order on Monday allowing the BJP leader to visit the violence-hit area.

However, the division bench of the high court, led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam, refused to interfere with the single-bench order that granted permission to Adhikari to visit the restive area. It also expressed surprise that TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, the main accused and "core" of the Sandeshkhali issue, has not been arrested so far.