Kolkata, India – Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the violent attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team that occurred in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.
Mehboob Mollah and Sukamal Sardar were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the assault on the ED team during a raid on the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh. The incident took place on January 5, and the attackers caused “grievous” injuries to three ED officers while seizing their personal belongings, including mobile phones and wallets.
The assault also targeted the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were accompanying the ED team. The incident sparked a political firestorm in West Bengal, with Governor CV Ananda Bose condemning the attack and calling the state a “banana republic.”
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 opposition BJP has characterized the attack as a “direct assault on the federal structure” and has called for the imposition of President’s Rule in West Bengal.
In response, the TMC accused the ED officials of inciting locals, further escalating the political tension. The Calcutta High Court granted interim protection to the ED officials who were attacked by the mob. This incident has raised concerns about the security of law enforcement officers and the ongoing political tensions in West Bengal.