Sub-Inspector, another cop injured while trying to arrest dreaded criminals

Kolkata: A police Sub-Inspector in Nadia's Chopra suffered bullet injuries in his lower abdomen while another received critical head injuries after being attacked by some miscreants as they went to arrest two dreaded criminals at Laxmipur village late on Friday night.

The incident has triggered a political slugfest between the Trinamool Congress and the Congress in the district with one accusing the other of unleashing a reign of terror and backing criminals. The incident sparked tension among the locals prompting the district police officers to set up a police picket in the troubled area.

A police team reached Dangipara area under Chopra police station on Friday night to arrest two notorious criminals — Md Swadagar and Md Sahid who had reportedly taken refuge in a house. On the basis of specific information, the police raided the spot and surrounded the house. As the police officers were preparing to enter, some miscreants opened fire from the house during which Pintu Burman, an Sub-Inspector was injured. A bullet hit his lower abdomen. The police reportedly retaliated and the incident led to an exchange of fire between the two sides. No miscreants were, however, injured in the police firing.

Later, when the police team tried to step into the house, a gang of miscreants suddenly attacked them. Another police officer, identified as Praveen Gurung, was injured when his head was slashed with a sharp weapon.

The police have, however, managed to arrest a number of them, including main accused Md Swadagar against whom many criminal cases were pending in various police stations in the district. According to the police, Burman and Gurung are undergoing treatment in two separate hospitals in North Bengal. Senior police officers including IG North Bengal Anand Kumar visited Chopra.