In a continuing saga of confrontations between central investigative agencies and the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led government in West Bengal, eight members of an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team faced a violent showdown with locals during raids in the North 24 Parganas district. The team, accompanied by Central forces personnel, was attempting to conduct searches at the residence of local TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam.
This incident is not an isolated one, as the state has witnessed a series of clashes between central agencies and local authorities in recent years. In 2019, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team was obstructed at the Kasba Police Station while en route to film producer Shrikant Mohta’s office, linked to the Rose Valley chit fund case. Another incident involved a CBI team being halted at the residence of the then Kolkata Police Commissioner in connection with the Sarada chit fund case, leading to a high-profile 70-hour dharna by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself at Kolkata’s Esplanade.
The TMC has consistently claimed that these actions by central agencies are part of a deliberate strategy by the Centre to harass its leaders and destabilize the state government. The confrontations have not been limited to investigative agencies; even members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) have faced resistance during their visits.
In the aftermath of the 2021 Assembly elections, allegations of poll-related violence were raised against the TMC. In response, the Calcutta High Court mandated investigations by the CBI and NHRC. However, even these inquiry processes faced challenges. Atif Rasheed, vice-chairperson of the NHRC, encountered an attack while visiting the Jadavpur area, underlining the intensity of the political climate.
The NCPCR chief, Priyank Kanoongo, faced assault in Kolkata’s Tiljala Police Station while investigating the alleged murder of a 7-year-old girl. Kanoongo claimed that not only was he physically attacked, but the NCPCR’s investigation was also secretly recorded by police personnel. Further, Kanoongo faced obstruction when attempting to meet the family of a 17-year-old girl who was allegedly raped and murdered in North Dinajpur district last April.
As tensions escalate between the Centre and the West Bengal government, the state continues to be a battleground for political confrontations, raising concerns about the rule of law and the ability of central agencies to operate independently in the region. The complex interplay between political interests, legal processes, and public sentiment underscores the challenges faced by those seeking to uphold accountability and justice in West Bengal.
