Kolkata, Feb 13 (FN Bureau) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday began raids afresh in at least six places in and around this city in relation to the alleged ration scam (Public Distribution System -PDS), official sources confirmed. The ED official in plain dress, aided by the Central Armed Forces, fanned out early this morning and began search operationsin a flat at posh Salt Lake area under Bidhannagar Police station, Kaikhali and Baguiati in North 24 Parganas, and Park Street, Russell Street in south Kolkata, sources maintained. They said the state police arrived when the ED reached the Salt Lake area’s IB block and enquired about the search warrant for the raid.
The federal agency has been equipped to conduct such raids along with combat force of the CRPF after being assaulted during such a raid at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas on January 5 last. TMC leader Sahjahan Sheikh, who is still evading arrest, allegedly orchestrated attacks on the central agencies from his followers during the raid, which was abandoned as they ran for life after thousands of irate mobs began to attack them. The TMC leader was summoned several times after skipping the appearance each time. The ED has arrested nearly a dozen accused in the ration scam, including that of former West Bengal food minister and now forest minister Jyoti Priya Mallick, former Bangaon mayor and MLA Shankar Adhya and businessman Bakibur Rahman.