2 dead in Bhatpara clashes, Sec 144 imposed

Kolkata: Two persons were killed in Bhatpara after a major clash took place between two unidentified groups on Thursday morning. Six police personnel have also been reportedly injured in the incident. To control the situation, police had to fire tear gas shells and few rounds of bullet in the air. Internet services have been suspended in three sub-divisions.

Authorities have imposed Section 144 in Bhatpara and Jagatdal areas of the North 24-Parganas district following the clashes. Route march has also been carried out in the area.

According to sources, hours before the inauguration of the new Bhatpara police station, one Ram Babu Shaw was shot dead within a few hundred metres of the building. This triggered violence in the area with crude bombs being hurled by miscreants at the labourer colony near Bhatpara More.

During the clash, another youth, identified as Dharambir Shaw, and several others got serious injuries. Later, Dharambir was declared brought dead at the hospital.

Immediately, the police intervened but failed to bring the situation under control. Soon a large contingent of police force, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and combat force arrived in Bhatpara and tried to control the situation. Almost at the same time, Director General of Police (DGP) Virendra was on his way to attend the inauguration programme at the police station. He came to know about the incident and returned to Nabanna, cutting short his journey mid-way.

Several police vans were vandalised and were set on fire. After almost one-and-a-half hours of bombing, the police force were able to enter the area and bring the situation under control.

Meanwhile, the police started firing tear gas shells to disperse the violent mob. Later, several rounds were fired in the air too. Section 144 CrPC was imposed in Bhatpara and Jagatdal areas to prevent any deterioration of the law and order situation.

It is alleged that the two persons died in the crossfire. But locals claimed that bullets were fired by the cops while the miscreants hurled only bombs.

According to sources, police alleged that the miscreants also fired bullets aiming the police personnel and people in general.

Later in the afternoon, Virendra went to Bhatpara police station after attending an urgent meeting at Nabanna with Chief Secretary Malay De, Home Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order Gyanwant Singh and other senior police officials.

Following the meeting, Bandyopadhyay informed that ADG South Bengal Sanjay Singh and few other senior police officials have been instructed to go to Bhatpara and supervise the police activity there.

"Some anti-social elements are active in Bhatpara and are creating an unstable situation. Police have been advised to take strong action. The state government is monitoring the situation from time-to-time. People of Bhatpara, Jagatdal and the neighbouring areas have been requested not to get provoked by any propaganda," he said.