West Bengal STF Recovers Arms Cache from Sandeshkhali Pond Linked to TMC Leader

In a significant operation on Saturday, the Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police recovered a substantial cache of firearms and ammunition allegedly hidden in a pond in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district. The pond is reportedly linked to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Robin Das, a former regional president, and his brother Gopal Das, both of whom are considered close associates of the incarcerated TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan. The recovery was made following specific intelligence inputs, leading STF personnel to conduct raids in Sandeshkhali and adjoining areas. During the operation, a large quantity of weapons and cartridges was found submerged in the pond. While the exact number of weapons varies across initial reports, some sources state 17 weapons and 39 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the pond, while others mention 29 firearms and several bullets seized. Both Robin Das and Gopal Das reportedly fled the area before the STF team arrived, and authorities have launched a manhunt to apprehend them. Searches were also conducted at the residence of the Das brothers and surrounding locations. Investigators suspect that the weapons were stockpiled to create unrest and disrupt peace in the region, which has been a site of political tension and unrest. The recovery has intensified the political slugfest in West Bengal. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized the TMC, with MLA Sajal Ghosh making pointed remarks about weapons emerging from ponds, which are traditionally associated with fish. BJP leaders have alleged that such weapons could have been used to target common citizens and opposition workers, and have called for strict action against those involved. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari praised the STF's operation as a major breakthrough against illegal arms networks and asserted his government's commitment to restoring law and order, vowing to eradicate criminal activities and political terrorism. This incident is not the first time arms have been recovered in connection with Sandeshkhali. In April 2024, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recovered a cache of arms, including foreign-made pistols and revolvers, from a house in Sandeshkhali linked to an associate of Sheikh Shahjahan, during their investigation into an attack on ED officials. The STF operation, which involved central forces, is ongoing, with further searches being conducted to uncover any additional hidden weapons. The Sandeshkhali area has a history of allegations of atrocities against local residents, including BJP workers, by individuals linked to the Das brothers. The recovery of a significant arms cache in Sandeshkhali underscores the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in combating illegal arms trafficking and maintaining peace in a politically charged environment. The involvement of individuals linked to Sheikh Shahjahan, who is currently in jail, adds another layer to the ongoing investigations and political discourse surrounding the region.

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