"Unrest in Sandeshkhali: From Allegations of Sexual Harassment to Political Blame Games"

Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose has urged the state government to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a judicial inquiry into the Sandeshkhali violence, emphasizing the arrest of "gang leaders" and their "henchmen" and advocating for ex gratia to victims. The violence in Sandeshkhali, predominantly led by women protesting sexual harassment and high-handedness by associates of fugitive TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, has led to tension and scuffles between BJP workers and police. The state government has re-imposed Section 144 of the CrPC at 19 places in Sandeshkhali, following the Calcutta High Court's quashing of prohibition orders.