Robbery attempt thwarted, two thrashed

Two armed miscreants were beaten up when they were caught while attempting to decamp with valuables from a shop on I Road at Belgachia in Howrah on Thursday morning.

Police said that three masked miscreants raided the shop on Thursday, all of whom were carrying firearms.

The three entered the shop and threatened the owner to hand over the cash box to them. The owner, however, did not relent to their demands and began shouting for help.

Some locals entered the shop after hearing his screams and found the miscreants beating up the owner.

After seeing the locals having gathered at the shop, the miscreants panicked and tried to flee. While one succeeded, the other two were caught by the locals. Instead of informing the police, the locals tied the duo on a lamp post and began beating them up.

Someone in the locality informed the police, after which policemen from the local police station reached the spot and rescued the two battered robbers. Police admitted them to the hospital and have initiated a search for the third person.

Many residents of the area, who gathered at the shop, said they were shocked when they saw that the accused were armed and had tried to steal the cash box by threatening the owner at gunpoint in broad day light. Repeated incidents of dacoity have often been reported in Belgachia.