They did not want to show their faces. They wouldn’t reveal their names. Yet the women of Sandeshkhali village in West Bengal’s 24 Parganas district stood by the main road, placards in hand. “We have lost confidence in the local police. Save us. We need CRPF,” some of them read.
The women covered their faces with their sarees, and many while crying and seeking justice fell at the feet of governor CV Ananda Bose who was visiting the area on Monday.
The women here have alleged harassment and torture by “missing” Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates. Sheikh has not been seen in public since a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials when they went to search his premises in Sandeshkhali over an alleged ration distribution scam.
One has to cross the Bidyadhari river to reach Sandeshkhali from the other side. Bose arrived at the ferry ghat directly from the airport. “I was in Kerala, trying to organise an exhibition for Bengal. I was shocked to hear the news of Sandeshkhali. I cut short my visit and am going to Sandeshkhali to find out what sandesh (message) the people have,” he said.
News18 followed the governor on his journey. From nearby Minakhan village to Shajahan’s turf, everywhere Bose came across various placards. “Give back 100 days’ money,” was written on some of them by protesters who had gathered around.
The governor was escorted by a police launch as he crossed the river. Reaching Sandeshkhali, he did not wait for a rickshaw or other means of transportation and started walking.
As the governor tried to speak to a woman, she fell at his feet, crying. Others followed.
“Give justice to us. Our men cannot stay at home now. They have fled. We have no confidence in the local police,” said many of them.