Youth shot dead in broad daylight

Kolkata: A 22-year-old youth was shot dead in broad daylight after he protested against the open consumption of liquor by some local miscreants.

The incident took place on Sunday in Bashbagan area of Kamarhati in North 24-Parganas. The victim has been identified as Seikh Imtiaz Ali, who used to work as a daily wage labourer at a local factory. One person has been arrested for in the incident so far.

Police said a gang of miscreants were consuming liquor inside a mango grove situated beside a road in Bashbagan area on Sunday afternoon. The victim was passing through the area when he found that the miscreants in the act. He protested against the incident and asked the miscreants to stop consuming liquor within the locality.

A heated altercation broke out between them and one of the gang members suddenly took out a gun and shot him from a close quarter. Ali fell on the ground after receiving a bullet in his body.

The miscreants, however, fled the spot.

After hearing the gun shot, locals rushed to the spot to find the victim lying in a pool of blood. They rushed the victim to College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital where the doctors pronounced him brought dead.

According to the preliminary investigation, police said the victim had protested against these miscreants earlier as well. A senior police officer of Barrackpore police commissionarate said the victim had been involved in a quarrel with the accused in a few previous occasions.

Following the incident, some locals staged a demonstration in front of Kamarhati police station protesting against the incident. They also gheraoed the police station for sometime, which was later lifted following the intervention of the senior police officers.

Locals alleged that despite being informed for repeated times, police have failed to take any steps against the antisocial activities in the area. The local people also alleged that one Saddam, a local resident might have been involved in the incident.

The locals also ransacked the house of Saddam. The situation was later brought under control by the police.

A detailed probe has been initiated. Raids are being conducted to nab the culprits.