TMC MP Nusrat Jahan breaks silence on Sandeshkhali protests, says 'always followed party guidelines'

Nusrat, an MP from West Bengal's Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency which comprises Sandeshkhali, was earlier slammed by opposition leaders and some locals for maintaining silence on the raging issue, where several women have accused TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides of land grabbing, extortion and sexual abuse.

In an X post, Nusrat, who is also a leading Bengali film actress, shared a newspaper cutting where locals from Sandeshkhali were reported to be expressing dissatisfaction over the parliamentarian, who won by a record margin in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Nusrat wrote, "It is heart wrenching waking up to such allegations. As a woman, as a public representative I have always followed my parties guidelines and served the people. With the Sandeshkhali incident raging, Our Hon CM has already send Help.. and necessary steps are being taken for the welfare of the people.

"We are not above the law.. thus abiding by it and supporting the administration is what one needs to do. I have genuinely served the people in my constituency, in times of joy, in times of trouble.. I act in accordance with the guidelines of my party.. and I believe we must have faith in the state govt and administration,what is wrong shall always be condemned ."

"We must refrain from targeting each other.. and come together to help create peace and not commotion. People’s security and welfare is our top priority.. Rest who says what about whom does not matter. Like I said before.. I’d repeat again 'STOP POLITICISING'," she added.

Sandeshkhali incident

The turmoil in Sandeshkhali, a remote block about 80 kms from Kolkata and a part of the Basirhat sub-division of North 24 Parganas district, broke out first in early January when a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) reached TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan's residence to quiz him in connection with the ration distribution scam in the state.

Shahjahan's aides allegedly assaulted and chased the ED officers turning the area into a political hotspot months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

While Shahjahan is now absconding, several women from the village came out with brooms and sticks demanding the arrest of the TMC strongman.

The protesting women have alleged Shahjahan and his aides captured several lands forcefully and sexually harassed them.

Reacting to the allegations, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in the state assembly on Thursday, "By targeting Shahjahan, ED entered into the area and then created a rift between the Adivasis and minorities."

"If there is any genuine complaint, the government will take action. But first, I have to learn what has happened," she added.