The ruling Trinamul Congress has deferred its Sandeshkhali rally scheduled on Sunday considering ongoing higher secondary examinations in the state.
The rally has been rescheduled on 3 March and an army of heavyweight ministers like Chandrima Bhattacharya, Bratya Basu, Partha Bhowmick, Sujit Bose, among others are likely to attend the programme at the trouble-hit island in North 24-Parganas.
A three-member team comprising Mr Basu, Mr Bose and Mr Bhowmick will visit Sandeshkhali on Sunday and speak to local leaders of the party to take stock of the situation there, according to the party sources.
Earlier, a ruling party delegation, led by irrigation minister Partha Bhowmick had visited Sandeshkhali on Tuesday and promised justice would be delivered and the party would “not think twice” before taking stern against those involved in ‘atrocities’ in the area.
Mr Bhowmick during his visit had announced that the rally would be held in Sandeshkhali on 18 February.
Trinamul sources said on Saturday that the higher secondary examinations will end 29 February and the rally has been rescheduled on 3 March instead of 18 February. There will be a huge crowd of around one lakh in the rally on 3 March.
Protests continued in Sandeshkhali for the tenth consecutive day, with a significant number of women taking to the streets, demanding the arrest of TMC leader Sheikh Shajahan and his associates. The accusations include forcefully capturing land and sexually harassing women.
Aggrieved villagers on Saturday erupted with grievances and anger when representatives of local panchayats ruled by Trinamul Congress visited several areas at Sandeshkhali.
“Sandeshkhali is now totally peaceful and the situation is under control. If there are a few allegations, the police, administration, and the party are taking necessary steps. The BJP and CPM are trying to create fresh provocations,” the irrigation minister had alleged at Kalinagar during his visit to Sandeshkhali on 13 February.