Sandeshkhali clash: Police didn't take him to hospital on time, claims dead civic volunteer's father

Kolkata: A day after civic volunteer Biswajit Maity died of bullet injuries during a clash at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district, his family Sunday complained of police negligence saying there was a delay in taking him to the hospital.

"His life could have been saved had the police taken him to hospital on time. Police had delayed attending to my injured son. He lay there for three hours, before he was taken to a hospital. This may have led to his death," said his father Gour Maity on Sunday.

"We will ask the police why they took so much time to take my son to hospital. The policemen were saved, which means my son could have been saved as well had they attended him on time," he rued.

Police, however, denied commenting on the allegation.

Meanwhile, a political blame game began with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP blaming each other for the incident.

A police officer said the clash started between two local rival groups during a cultural function at a Kali puja pandal, barely five kilometres from the Sandeshkhali police station, the reason, however, was not known.

As tension brewed, the police were informed and they rushed to the spot. Biswajit was a civic police volunteer and he too went to the spot.

"When police tried to chase the miscreants, they opened fire and hurled bombs," said the officer. Biswajit and three others were injured. They were admitted to a hospital where Biswajit died on Saturday during treatment.

State minister and TMC's North 24 Parganas secretary Jyotipriyo Mullick claimed his party workers had organised the cultural function on Friday, when the "BJP-led goons" created ruckus.

"They were notified criminals, earlier with the CPM and now moved to the BJP. The law will take its course," said senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim.

Denying the allegations, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said the TMC goons were behind the incident. "The miscreants, belonging to the TMC, have beaten up the policemen," said Ghosh.

Two men were arrested on Saturday in this connection.

(With inputs from Indian Express)