ED issues lookout notice to TMC leader

Kolkata. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday issued a lookout notice against Sheikh Shahjahan, a Trinamool Congress leader and the alleged mastermind of the attack on central agency officials in North 24 Parganas district. ED has directed all airport authorities and border guard agencies to be on alert. The source said the lookout notice has been issued amid fears that Shahjahan might try to flee abroad, especially to neighboring Bangladesh, along with his family members. The ED has specifically requested the BSF to alert its border outposts in the India-Bangladesh border districts in North 24 Parganas district, given that Shahjahan’s residence and the location of the attack are close to the international border.

Sources said Shahjahan owned several houses not only in Sandeshkhali and North 24 Parganas districts, but also in Kolkata. The ED has also not ruled out the possibility of Shahjahan hiding in any of these houses along with his family members. Reportedly, an audio clip of Sheikh Shahjahan has also surfaced in which he is reportedly appealing to the Trinamool leadership in Sandeshkhali area not to take central agencies like CBI and ED seriously, “because sensible people understand that What kind of conspiracy has been hatched against him.” In the audio clip he also reportedly said, “Sheikh Shahjahan cannot be kept under control for long.” At present the authenticity of the audio clip has been ascertained.