Kolkata/IBNS: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Locket Chatterjee was detained while she along with six other party leaders were heading to West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, where several women have accused absconding Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides of grabbing lands and sexually abusing them for years.

Locket, an MP from West Bengal's Hooghly, was seen having an altercation with a woman police officer who was resisting her from proceeding.

"There is no Section 144. This is illegal. You are showing off your power," Locket was heard telling the cop. Later, she was detained by police.

Slamming the police's action, Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari said, "MP and @BJP4Bengal General Secretary; Smt Locket Chatterjee has been arrested by Mamata Police while she was enroute Sandeshkhali along with Mahila Morcha Members. The arrest was made on the flimsiest of pretexts of violating Section 144. Strangely she was arrested at Bhojerhat, roughly 50 kms from Sandeshkhali, where no Section 144 is imposed.

"The manner in which a distinguished Female Lawmaker & two time WB State BJP General Secretary was roughed up by the Mamata Police, it certainly raises questions how Women of Sandeshkhali and other rural areas of the State are treated by the Police. I condemn this high-handedness of @WBPolice, who use their force on Women but are unable to maintain Law & Order and can't find Criminals like Shahjahan Sheikh."

Sandeshkhali incident

The turmoil in Sandeshkhali, a remote block about 80 kms from Kolkata and a part of the Basirhat sub-division of North 24 Parganas district, broke out first in early January when a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) reached TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan's residence to quiz him in connection with the ration distribution scam in the state.

Shahjahan's aides allegedly assaulted and chased the ED officers turning the area into a political hotspot months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

While Shahjahan is now absconding, several women from the village came out with brooms and sticks demanding the arrest of the TMC strongman.

The protesting women have alleged Shahjahan and his aides captured several lands forcefully and sexually harassed them.

Reacting to the allegations, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in the state assembly on Thursday, "By targeting Shahjahan, ED entered into the area and then created a rift between the Adivasis and minorities."

"If there is any genuine complaint, the government will take action. But first, I have to learn what has happened," she added.