Kolkata: One Utpal Sarkar was arrested from Konnagar, Hooghly, on Friday night and a firearm along with one round of ammunition and 25 kg ganja was recovered from him. He has been remanded to judicial custody till Monday following his production before the local court on Saturday.
According to locals, on Friday night at around 10 pm, Sarkar and his associate suddenly started snatching valuables at Kotrung area. When a good number of locals gathered and retaliated, both the accused forced a scooty rider, identified as Rahim, to take them to a safe place by showing him a one-shot gun. While fleeing the spot, Sarkar fired one round of bullet in the air to create panic.
While trying to flee, the scooty ran out of petrol near the Olympic maath in Konnagar. Eventually, Rahim managed to escape as they were trying to intercept another motorcycle rider. A patrolling van, after being informed, from the Uttarpara police station arrived within a few minutes. Sarkar's associate managed to escape on a bicycle and he tried to hide behind a nearby bush but was later forced to surrender. Following his arrest, it was found that he was carrying a one-shot gun loaded with one round of bullet and 25 kg ganja. Police sources informed that he was in the prison for the past four years as is an accused in a murder case.