Hundreds of women from Old Malda Assembly constituency assembled in front of the block land and land reforms office on Tuesday, demanding strong steps against local BJP MLA Gopal Chandra Saha while alleging that he gave a free hand to the land mafia encroaching government land.

The women alleged that some henchmen of the MLA were threatening to withdraw complaints that they have filed against land sharks with Malda police.

“The mafia enjoy the MLA’s patronage. They have encroached on government land and are now making constructions with business interest and these people are making huge profits in a completely illegal manner,” said Tumpa Barman, one of the 300-odd protesters.

The protesters, who carried placards and shouted slogans against Saha, said they want encroached land to be vacated immediately by the state.

“Poor people, who do not have their own land, should be provided with plots so that they can build houses or avail benefits of the central housing scheme,” said another protester.

The women said they had already knocked on the door of the local police station and submitted a mass petition.

“We came today to file a complaint at the BL and LRO. Our movement will continue unless the illegal activities of these land mafias stop here. If required, the administration should also take steps against the MLA,” they said.

A senior police officer confirmed they had received a petition in which some women have complained against the local MLA and some others.

Saha, the local MLA, rubbished the allegations and accused Trinamul of orchestrating the protest.

“Many deserving residents of my Assembly did not get enlisted in the central housing scheme. They approached us and we stood by them. This irked Trinamul leaders and now they are instigating some women and staging agitations against me,” he said.

Trinamul leaders supported the protesters. “Their demands are valid and we support them. If the local MLA is involved in illegal activities, steps should be taken against them. But simultaneously, police and officials of the land and land reforms departments should initiate immediate action against the land mafia,” said Nabendu Sen, the Trinamul president of Old Malda block.