In its first reaction to the attack on its sleuths in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district Friday morning, the Enforcement Directorate, in a statement, said during its searches on the premises of a TMC leader, the ED team “was attacked by 800-1000 people with an intention to cause death.”
The agency said the mob carried weapons such as lathis, stones and bricks.
“ED was conducting searches on the three premises of Sahajahan Sheikh, Convenor of TMC, North 24 Parganas in case of PDS scam of West Bengal. During the searches on one of the premises, the ED team with CRPF personnel was attacked by 800-1000 people with an intention to cause death as these people were carrying weapons such as Lathis, stones and bricks,” ED said in a post on X.
It further stated that three ED officials were grievously injured and admitted to hospital for treatment.
“Violent mob also snatched/robbed/stole personal and official belongings of ED officials, such as their mobile phones, laptop, cash, wallets, etc. and damaged some of the ED vehicles,” it added.
A team of the Enforcement Directorate was attacked and CRPF jawans accompanying them manhandled in North 24 Parganas district earlier today morning when they went to carry out raids in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam. Followers of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader in the Sandeshkhali area reportedly overpowered the officials, vandalised vehicles and blocked roads. Some even sustained severe head injuries in the incident.
The ED team incurred the wrath of local residents when they arrived to raid the house of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh. The house was locked. Despite repeated efforts by ED officials, no one responded to their calls. After waiting for about an hour, the investigating officer tried to break the lock of the house. Several local people reached the spot at the time.
The officials of the central agency had to retreat under the pressure of the mob.
Meanwhile, in a stern message to the TMC government, Governor CV Ananda Bose said he would explore his constitutional options and take appropriate action.
This is the first time ED officials have come under such an attack during a raid in connection with the ration scam.
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First uploaded on: 05-01-2024 at 22:25 IST
