Man shot dead for protesting liquor consumption

A man was shot dead after he protested against open consumption of liquor at a tea shop in Jagaddal of North 24 Parganas.

The victim, an LIC agent by profession, staged his strong opposition against some of the local anti-socials at Jagaddal’s Kaugachi village, and got engaged in a verbal brawl with them.

The assailant pointed his gun at the victim and pumped bullets into him from a close range.

Police said that the deceased, Sanjit Mondal, was taken to BN Bose Hospital at Barrackpore, but was declared brought dead. Another person, Samiran Paik was also injured in the incident. While entering the shop, Paik was hit by one of the bullets when the accused began shooting near the entrance.

Police said that he has become a witness in the case, along with some others.

The accused Netai Bagi, who shot Mondal dead, is a local criminal, said police. He had arranged a meeting with members of his gang in the tea shop and subsequently opened a liquor bottle there.

Mondal, who was standing nearby, protested to it. But Bagi pounced on Mondal and brandished a gun to his chest. Mondal shoved him away and Bagi started abusing him.

The accused then pulled the trigger twice from the point black range and bullets pierced Mondal’s body.

“Almost immediately Bagi and his gang decamped from the spot. Mondal was lying in a pool of blood and the locals rushed him to BN Bose Hospital at Barrackpore,” said a police officer.

Meanwhile, police have started a raid in search of the accused and members if his hang. The houses of the gang members, including their king pin, were raided.

“The accused will soon be in our custody, as we have tracked his cell phone location,” said an investigating officer of North 24 Parganas district police.