Attacks – Journalists

The Enforcement Directorate team was in Sandeshkhali to conduct a raid on the house of Shahjahan Sheikh, a local strongman leader from the Trinamool Congress, as part of its investigation into an alleged ration scam. The attackers injured three ED officials and set their vehicles on fire. They allegedly looted their personal belongings such as laptops, mobiles and wallets. The mob then turned on media representatives. Several journalists, who were there to report on the ED’s raid, were assaulted and driven away by the mob, which allegedly attempted to seize their cameras and mobile phones.

“Ours was the first media vehicle that came under attack in Sandeshkhali,” Ayan Ghoshal, a senior reporter from Bangla news channel Zee 24 Ghanta, told Newslaundry. “The mob didn’t want us to cover the raid and we didn’t get any help from the local police. They first attacked our vehicles with stones, bricks and sticks. They also tried to snatch mobiles and cameras from some journalists. Many were beaten and kicked mercilessly. We were on our own and had to run for our lives.” A reporter from Bangla news channel ABP Ananda said he was “beaten” by the mob.