The mutual enmity of two sheikhs is behind the horrific incident that has cost many lives and is long forgotten in the Birbhum violence of Bengal. The result of this enmity forced the people of the area to leave their homes. The violence took such a large form due to sand mining and the tussle to maintain dominance over the local area.
There is a dispute going on for many years between Bhadu Sheikh and Sona Sheikh of Bogtui village of Rampurhat, West Bengal. Bhadu Sheikh was also the sub-panchayat head of the village. He used to drive a police car. Sona Sheikh also used to do something similar.
However, Bhadu Sheikh became more influential because of his association with the police. Bhadu Sheikh had a four-storey house in Bogtui village of Rampurhat, West Bengal. He also collected money from sand vehicles, which he called the “local welfare tax”. Some time ago his elder brother Babar Sheikh was assassinated.
In this, it was feared that the hand of Sona Sheikh and her close friends was involved. Being close to Birbhum TMC President Anubrata Mandal, Bhadoo was endowed with money and influence, but was not feeling secure because of his enmity. He was murdered last Monday. Then the uproar escalated. After this his supporters allegedly set fire to several nearby houses. Seven people were burnt alive in Sona Sheikh’s house. Police are now investigating who killed Bhadu Sheikh and also the conspirators of the subsequent arson.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday issued notice to the West Bengal government, the state police chief, in connection with the killing of eight people in Bogtui village of Birbhum district and the steps taken by the police to ensure the safety of the people. Instructions were given to submit the detailed information report within four weeks. Officials gave this information. Around a dozen huts were torched in the early hours of Tuesday following the murder of a Trinamool Congress panchayat functionary in Bogtui village of Birbhum district, killing eight people, including two children.