'Central forces provoked villagers in Sandeshkhali incident': Shashi Panja snaps back at opposition

The recent attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) team and central forces during an ongoing raid in Sandeshkhali has ignited a fierce political debate in the state. While BJP has demanded centre's intervention into the matter along with a NIA investigation, Union Minister of State, Nitish Pramanik has directly blamed the state governement for the incident.

Nishith Pramanik, while targeting the state government, said that this incident is quite condemnable. Such unfortunate incidents keep happening especially in West Bengal. It is the responsibility of the state government to provide security, yet such attacks still happen.

Meanwhile defending her party, Trinamool spokesperson and minister Shashi Panja stated that any kind of violence is not supported by TMC, but the villagers were complaining that they were provoked by the central forces that were accompanying the investigative agencies.

She further backfired on the allegations made Union Minister Nishith Pramanik saying that "MoS Nisith Pramanik has been talking about cooperative federalism that Bengal lacks in federalism. Federalism means that there should be good relations between the centre and the state. The centre must cooperate with the states. But what we see here and Nisith Pramanik, you should answer, have you even asked for the MNREGA funds which are due to Bengal? Have you ever asked the Center why they are not providing funds for housing for the rural poor?

On Friday, a mob attacked vehicles of the ED and central forces during a raid being conducted on TMC leader Sheikh Sajahan, close aide of jailed West Bengal minister Jyotipriya Mallick. The probe agency was carrying out raids in connection with the alleged ration scam in North 24 Parganas district's Sandeshkhali.