States » EastPosted at: Oct 31 2026 12:16AM


Bengal: TMC MLA Kajal Sheikh to move court over withdrawal of security cover

Suri, Oct 30 (UNI) Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA from Hasan, Kajal Sheikh, on Friday said he would approach the court seeking restoration of his security cover after two police bodyguards were allegedly withdrawn by the Birbhum district police on Thursday.
The reported withdrawal came days after Sheikh met senior TMC leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay.
Sheikh said he had been under 'Y' category security since 2021, which was later upgraded to 'Y-Plus' cover. Expressing concern over his safety, he referred to past political violence and alleged threats against him.
“I lost my father and brother during the CPM regime, and I feel completely unprotected now. Certain elements in Bolpur are trying to attack me,” he said.
Sheikh added that he had served as the elected Sabhadhipati of the Birbhum Zilla Parishad until August, alongside his responsibilities as the Hasan MLA, and had already met the Assembly Speaker seeking protection. He also alleged that hitmen had earlier been brought from Bangladesh to assassinate him and were currently lodged in Siwan Jail.
Meanwhile, Birbhum district police raided the residences of Sheikh's two nephews, Philip and Lloyd, in Papuri village under Nanoor police station limits. Police confirmed that a firearm was seized during the operation, conducted in connection with an ongoing post-poll violence case.
Amid the developments, Sheikh reiterated his allegiance to the TMC leadership. “Ritabrata Bandopadhyay and Mamata Banerjee are both our leaders. Bandopadhyay serves as the Leader of the Opposition for all 65 TMC MLAs, while Mamata Banerjee remains our supreme leader. My leader is Mamata Banerjee, and I visited Kalighat a few days ago,” he said.
TMC national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee condemned the police raids on the residences of Sheikh's relatives, alleging that the action was retaliation for the MLA's support for Mamata Banerjee. He accused the police of attempting to implicate TMC supporters in fabricated cases.
“If the TMC does not exist on paper in the state, as claimed by the BJP state leadership, why are they still afraid of the TMC?” Banerjee asked.
The developments come amid factional tensions within the TMC in Birbhum. Sheikh, considered close to Abhishek Banerjee, had taken over as the district Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati during the absence of former district strongman Anubrata Mondal, who was lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail.
Mondal's return and his subsequent reinstatement as the TMC's Birbhum district president have altered the party's internal equations. He had earlier been considered Sheikh's political rival.
Security arrangements in the district have also come under focus following a recent attack on Mondal at the party office in Suri. The district police have since deployed armed personnel for his protection. UNI DC NST
Tags: #Bengal: TMC MLA Kajal Sheikh to move court over withdrawal of security cover
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