Spate of tortures on Hindus in Sandeshkhali following Lok Sabha Election

Hindu women raped, tortured

Whether it’s the time of election or not, Hindu persecution never dies down in the length and breadth of Bengal and the ravishment of Seema Sardar (name changed), daughter of Fone Sardar and living in the village of Malipara Shisrishtala within the jurisdiction of Sandeshkhali police station in the North 24 Paraganas district, evidences grip of Islamists again with the fast deteriorating law and order in the state.  On May 14, at 11.30 pm, Seema Sardar along with her boyfriend Shibu Sardar (inhabiting the village of Jelekhali in close proximity) was returning from Dharmaraj fair going on at No. 1 Charavidya in the jurisdiction of Basanti police station. When they reached the Gopalmore crossing, Seema and Shibu were stopped by a motorbike with 3 Muslim youths who asked both of them lots of questions. Shibu tried to avoid and move forward but youths blocked them again. As soon as Shibu protested and asked the youths to leave, he was grasped and beaten mercilessly. Even if Seema tried to raise an alarm, all were in vain as the nearest village was far away still. Soon, Shibu got unconscious and Seema was taken forcibly on the bike. When he regained consciousness, Shibu could not trace Seema anywhere and a strange fear propelled him to run to the neighboring village of Gopalmore to seek help.

In a little while, a few Hindu youths from the village reached the spot and after a brief search, Seema was found in a bush but unconscious. There was no need to attest anymore as circumstantial evidences proved that Seema had been gang raped. The news has shocked the locality and searches are going on to locate the culprits. As per latest reports, Seema is in a trauma and even if the local police station has been informed, police personnel is yet to visit this hapless girl’s residence.     

When talked to locals, it was found that Hindus here had been under constant pressure, threats of dreadful consequences for more than last one month under local Islamists at the behest of political parties, confident of Muslim votes but anxious of Hindu support to them. As a result, what happened here is similar to the incidents that appalled Mr. Sudhir Kumar Rakesh, Special Observer from Election Commission of India, of late.  On May 13, the day following the last phase of Parliamentary Election, 2014 in Bengal, the village of Sarberia Taltala within Sandeshkhali police station’s jurisdiction was visited by a team of 15 Islamists wielding lethal weapons who abused villagers for voting. They also ordered villagers to go to the Panchayat office at Sarberia on May 14 to face a trial of treason to the ruling Trainamool Congress. This infamous gang is led by Shajahan Seikh (Trinamool vice-president of Agarhati-Sarberia village panchayat). On the same day, in the morning, tribal people in another village of Golbunia were attacked by the similar team for daring to vote against their diktats.

However, at long last, wretched Hindu women in the village were saved by the timely intervention of Tapan Ghosh, president of Hindu Samhati, but the terror among Hindus in the vicinity refuses to end.

Hindu Samhati regularly monitors and reports violations against Hindus in West Bengal. We also work with both governmental and NGO agencies for proper education on protection and ensure remedies to the Hindu populace as per prevailing law of the land.