A team of the Enforcement Directorate was on Friday attacked in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali. The incident was reported from North 24 Parganas district, where the team had gone to raid locations in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam.
The team was attacked as it approached Trinamool leader Shah Jahan Sheikh's residence, who was later arrested in the case.
According to the details, more than 200 locals surrounded the Enforcement Directorate officials and the central armed paramilitary forces, accompanying the ED team.
The mob also vandalised the vehicles belonging to the government officials.
Commenting on the attack, state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar said the incident shows what the Rohingya are doing to the law and order in the state.
"There is a complaint and corruption charges against all of them. Naturally, the Enforcement Directorate will take action. The attack shows what the Rohingya are doing to the law and order in the state," he said.
Later, Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari alleged the law and order situation in West Bengal "is in shambles".
"Horrific. The Law & Order Situation in West Bengal is in shambles. ED Officials & CRPF Jawans brutally attacked in Sandeshkhali; North 24 Parganas district, while conducting Raid at TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan's house. I doubt that Rohingyas are present amongst the Anti National attackers," (sic) he wrote on X.
Further, Adhikari also urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose to take cognizance of "this grave situation and take appropriate action to crush this anarchy."
Adhikari also demanded the National Investigation Team should probe the matter.
THE RATION DISTRIBUTION SCAM
The proceeds of crime generated from the alleged pilferage of ration were shared between the millers and PDS distributors, the probe agency said.
"Rice millers opened fake bank accounts of farmers in connivance with certain people, including some cooperative societies, and pocketed the MSP meant to be paid to paddy growers. One of the key suspects has admitted that nearly Rs 200 per quintal was earned by rice millers for grain which was to be procured by government agencies at MSP from farmers. Several rice millers have been following this practice across the state over the years," the Enforcement Directorate said in a statement.
On October 14 last year, the probe agency arrested Bakibur Rahaman, a flour and rice miller who was sent to judicial custody.
Incriminating material and Rs 1.42 crore were seized as part of multiple searches conducted on October 11, 26, and November 4. Additionally, alleged proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs. 16.87 crore that were parked in the bank accounts of shell companies were frozen.
The probe agency had arrested West Bengal minister Jyoti Priyo Mallick in a money laundering case linked to the scam.
He served as the Food Supplies Minister from 2011 to 2021, a period during which the "irregularities" in ration distribution reportedly occurred.
Mallick has been remanded to ED custody till November 6 by a local court.
