Police stop Adhir Chowdhury-led Congress rally on way to Bengal's Sandeshkhali

Kolkata: West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Friday questioned why opposition political parties were not allowed to go to Sandeshkhali, which has been rocked by protests over alleged atrocities on villagers by TMC leaders.

He alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government was trying to politicise the issue.

The Congress rally, led by Chowdhury, was initially stopped by police at Sarberia and then again at Rampur on the way to Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district.

"Why are opposition parties being prevented from entering Sandeshkhali? What is the state government trying to hide? Why are they trying to politicise it?" Chowdhury said.

Police cited prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC as the reason for not allowing the Congress team to go to Sandeshkhali.

After being stopped at Rampur village, Chowdhury and the Congress workers began a sit-in demonstration.

Protests in Sandeshkhali continued for the eighth consecutive day on Friday, with a notable presence of women demonstrators demanding the arrest of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates.