Kolkata, Jan 5 (UNI) A couple of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials were injured, one of them sustained head injuries, when they were attacked by scores of mobs, said to be the followers of TMC leader Sahjahan Sheikh at Sandeshkhali as the central probe agency went to raid the house of the politician in relation to the alleged ration distribution scam across West Bengal, official sources said on Friday.
The ED officials, aided by a scanty central forces jawans, when tried to break open the collapsible gates, which were locked from inside, the mob attacked the probe agency officials, who were forced to retreat in fear of their lives.
The official finding their vehicles were vandalised ran away with autos and steamer in the locality in North 24 Parganas.
Sajahan, was an executive in the state fisheries and animal husbandry department in the locality, is considered to be a close associate of forest minister Jyotipriyo Mallick, a former food minister, who has been arrested in connection with the alleged multi-crore ration distribution scam.
Some members of the media covering the raid were also attacked by the mob and vandalised their gadgets and vehicles, sources said.
Two teams of ED officials also raided the properties of the former Bongaon municipality chairman Shankar Addya.
The ED also raided the properties of Addya at the EM Bypass in the city.
“Horrific. The law and order situation in West Bengal is in shambles. ED officials and CRPF jawans brutally attacked in Sandeshkhali, North 24-Parganas while conducting raid at TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan’s house. I doubt that Rohingyas are present amongst the anti-national attackers,” Suvendu Adhikari, leader of Opposition in the Bengal Assembly wrote on X (Formerly Twitter).
“I urge Hon’ble Union Home minister Amit Shah, Bengal Governor, Director ED and Director CRPF to take cognizance of this grave situation and take appropriate action to crush this anarchy.”
Adhikari demanded a probe by the NIA.
“It was an orchestrated attack,” said the BJP’s state chief Sukanta Majumdar.
“There is a complaint & corruption charges against all of them. It is natural that ED will take action. It is quite obvious. The attack on ED in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali shows what the Rohingya are doing to the law & order in the state,” the BJP leader said.
