Protest in Sandeshkhali following arrest of four women in TMC MLA heckle case

Protests erupt in Sandeshkhali over arrest of women linked to BJP, accusing TMC leaders of sexual assault.

A group of people on Tuesday staged a protest in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, objecting to the arrest of four women for allegedly heckling TMC leaders, including the local MLA.

They held the demonstration in Bagdipara area, demanding the release of the four women who were allegedly associated with the BJP.

Women in the area claimed that they staged a night-long vigil with sticks in their hands.

Notably, a group of people in Sandeshkhali had on Monday blocked a road by setting tyres on fire in Berhmajur area, objecting to the arrest of the four women. They had also protested against the purported videos circulated "to malign the image" of saffron party leaders.

Local women also alleged that they were manhandled by the police.

The arrested women were sent to four days of police custody by a local court on Monday, an officer said.

On Sunday, BJP workers demonstrated against the circulation of purported videos "to malign the image" of saffron party leaders in Sandeshkhali, and allegedly heckled local TMC legislator Sukumar Mahata for spreading "misinformation" over complaints of sexual abuse, lodged by women in the area.