The BJP on Wednesday began a two-day dharna in Calcutta to protest against the alleged worsening of law and order situation in West Bengal and atrocities on villagers by ruling TMC leaders in trouble-torn Sandeshkhali region.

Led by top leaders of the BJP's state unit, the sit-in started at Mayo Road near the Mahatma Gandhi statue.

"The law and order in West Bengal has completely collapsed. Several incidents of land grab and sexual abuse in Sandeshkhali are glaring examples of such a situation in the state," West Bengal BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.

The riverine Sandeshkhali area -- situated on the borders of the Sundarbans, about 100 kilometres from Kolkata -- has been on the boil for more than a month with protests over allegations of sexual abuse and land grab against local TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh, who is absconding, and his supporters.

The unrest in the area stems from accusations against Shajahan and his supporters of land grabbing and sexual assault with the local TMC strongman evading authorities since a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.