West Bengal Police encountered a violent mob attack in the Nazat Police Station area of North 24 Parganas district on Friday night, while attempting to halt illegal construction on a court-restricted plot in Boyarmari II Gram Panchayat. Several officers sustained injuries from bricks and stones hurled by locals, and a police vehicle was vandalized during the confrontation. This incident unfolds amid heightened tensions in the region, reminiscent of prior clashes involving central agencies.

Police responded to a complaint about unauthorized construction defying Section 144 CrPC restrictions imposed by court order on the disputed land. Upon arrival in the Chuchura area under Nazat jurisdiction, officers demanded an immediate halt, but faced resistance from alleged supporters of Trinamool Congress strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, currently in custody. A heated argument escalated rapidly, leading to the mob's assault on the police team.

Authorities swiftly reinforced the site with a large contingent, restoring order and detaining key suspects, including the head of Boyarmari II Gram Panchayat. Eight individuals have been arrested so far, with others under questioning as the investigation progresses. Senior Basirhat Police officials confirmed a manhunt for remaining perpetrators, vowing strict action against those violating court directives and assaulting law enforcement.

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This episode draws stark parallels to the January 5, 2024, attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team in nearby Sandeshkhali's Agarhati area, probing a ration corruption scam linked to Shahjahan. The ED raid targeted the Trinamool leader, accused of land grabbing and sexual harassment, but was met with mob violence from his supporters. Shahjahan, executive director of North 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad, evaded arrest for 55 days before his capture on February 29, 2024.

The Sandeshkhali unrest peaked in February 2024 with widespread protests from villagers alleging systemic land encroachments and abuses by Shahjahan and his aides. These recurring incidents highlight ongoing law-and-order challenges in the region, with political undertones fueling public outrage. Police have deployed additional forces to maintain calm, as investigations into both the construction defiance and the attack continue.

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