TMC acts at last

THE Trinamool Congress (TMC) suspended party strongman Sheikh Shahjahan for six years on Thursday, a day after he was arrested in connection with a mob attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team at Sandeshkhali in early January. The ruling TMC has finally taken action against the tainted leader, who had been evading the police and the ED for nearly two months. Also accused of land-grab and sexual harassment, Shahjahan has been a law unto himself in Sandeshkhali, unleashing a reign of terror in the West Bengal village. The widespread protests against him underscore the rampant abuse of power and the urgency of delivering justice.

The onus is on the state government, which has belatedly stepped in to restore public trust and address the grievances of the affected group, to ensure that the investigation against Shahjahan is carried out in a fair and time-bound manner. His accomplices should also not be spared. Notably, it was the Calcutta High Court’s order to the authorities to arrest Shahjahan that led to action. Earlier, despite the serious charges levelled against her party colleague, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had tried to deflect the blame on to the Opposition.

The TMC leader’s no-holds-barred excesses are symptomatic of the entrenched culture of political violence and persecution in West Bengal. During the Left government’s long rule in the state, political vendetta was the order of the day. The strategy of inflicting atrocities on rivals is continuing during the TMC’s reign. The impunity enjoyed by goons and troublemakers highlights the need for systemic reforms to address the root cause of political violence and ensure the protection of citizens’ rights.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.

#Congress #Enforcement Directorate #Trinamool Congress