Sandeshkhali, India — West Bengal Police have arrested Musa Mollah, a local worker for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), four days after a violent clash involving a police team at his residence. Mollah was apprehended under the jurisdiction of the Nazat police station, bringing the total number of arrests in this case to 13.
Authorities allege that Mollah was illegally occupying land in the North 24 Parganas district, specifically in the Sandeshkhali area. The situation escalated when officers approached his home to address complaints regarding the alleged land encroachment. The disputed property was previously declared off-limits, yet reports indicate that Mollah continued to alter the surrounding land by filling it with salt water.
When law enforcement attempted to take Mollah into custody, he reportedly summoned supporters who obstructed the police vehicle, vandalizing it and assaulting the officers. The attack left six policemen injured, and the chaos allowed Mollah to escape the scene with the help of the mob. Additional police personnel from the Rajbari outpost who arrived later were also reportedly targeted.
Following the incident, authorities established a heavy police presence in the vicinity to prevent further unrest and conducted multiple arrests over the ensuing days. The violent episode has renewed scrutiny on Sandeshkhali, an area previously marked by conflicts between law enforcement and local political figures.
The region’s history of aggressive confrontations with law enforcement includes a notable incident in January 2024, when a team from the Enforcement Directorate was attacked during a visit to the home of a suspended TMC leader.
Residents and local officials are calling for accountability and greater measures to address lawlessness in the area. The ongoing turmoil underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing politically charged situations and highlights the necessity for community cooperation in restoring peace. Local leaders are now faced with the task of addressing the underlying issues that continue to fuel tension and violence in Sandeshkhali.