Protest in Raigunge against setting up of power sub-station

Kolkata: Tension ran high at Goalpokhar area of Raigunge in North Dinajpur on Sunday morning when the locals attacked the police to protest against the setting up a power sub-station in the area.

The large section of the area's population is dominated by tribal people. A policeman was injured when someone from the mob threw an arrow at him. A huge contingent of police force rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. Police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the mob. Some villagers have also been injured in the incident.

An agitated mob set the temporary camp of the state electricity department on fire. When the police reached the spot to control the situation, the locals attacked the policemen. A clash broke out between the police force and the local agitators who had been protesting against the setting up of a power sub-station in the area. The area virtually turned into a battlefield when the locals armed with various instruments charged at the police officers.

Some policemen have been injured in the incident who were admitted to a nearby hospital. The police officer whose body was impaled by the arrow was stated to be in a serious condition. He has been kept at constant monitoring. When the power department workers went to the place for construction work, the locals started staging protesting. They alleged that the land was acquired forcefully and hence they would not allow setting up of the power sub-station in the area.

It may be mentioned here that the state power department has been setting up power sub-stations at various places throughout the state to iron out the low voltage crisis which is often reported from some pockets. The department has taken up massive infrastructural reforms so that people could be provided with better services. Some people in the state are saying that this type of movement might oppose the developmental move initiated by the present government.