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In a significant development, two individuals, Mehboob Mollah and Sukamal Sardar, have been arrested in connection with the violent assault on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team that occurred on January 5 in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district. The attack took place during a raid on the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh.
Mollah and Sardar, residents of Fokir Tokia under Nazat Police station in North 24 Parganas, are believed to be part of the unruly mob that targeted the ED officers during the raid. The attackers not only caused “grievous” injuries to three ED officers but also seized their personal belongings, including mobile phones and wallets.
The ED officers were conducting the raid as part of an investigation into a ration distribution scam linked to TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh, a close aide of state minister Jyotipriyo Mallick, who was arrested last year in connection with the same scam.
The incident sparked a political controversy in West Bengal, with Governor CV Ananda Bose condemning the attack and describing the state as a “banana republic.” The opposition BJP has labeled the assault as a “direct assault on the federal structure” and called for the imposition of President’s Rule in West Bengal, alleging a threat to national security due to the alleged misrule by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool government.
The political tension escalated further, with the TMC accusing the ED officials of inciting locals. In response to the incident, the Calcutta High Court granted interim protection to the ED officials who were attacked by the mob.
