Couple assault: Kolkata Metro defends attackers

Kolkata: A couple was allegedly thrashed by a group of people at Dumdum Metro station for publicly hugging each other. The incident sparked huge protests across the country demanding the arrest of those who had reportedly beaten up the couple.

Despite accepting that "truly something has happened" on Monday night, the Metro authorities failed to provide a clear footage of the incident.

According to experts, clear footages were quite necessary for analysing the entire development properly and to identify those who had allegedly beaten them up.

With no clear footage available as the spot where the incident took place "is far" from where the CCTV is installed, the Metro authorities came up with their statement which read: "…Video footage was analysed but no clear evidence of assault was noticed in the footage."

When nationwide protests were raised against the incident for the past two days that led to a massive clamour for justice on social media, Ajay Vijayvargiya, General Manager, Metro Railway, Kolkata, said: "No complaint has been lodged after the incident and it came to light through media reports. While scrutinising the CCTV footage, nothing concrete was found." He said that video footages revealed that there was a commotion only for a minute when the incident took place at 9.55 pm on Monday. He further stated that some students staged agitation at Dum Dum Metro station against the incident on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum to the station manager demanding necessary legal action. "It was forwarded to Sinthi Police Station (under the Kolkata Police) for further investigation. Photographs and video footage were also shared with Sinthi Police Station," he said adding that they are further coordinating with the local police to share their findings in their enquiry.

The matter related to coordination with the police comes at the time when Mohd. Munauvar Khan of Railway Protection Force said that there are around four to five CCTV footages covering the platform of Dum Dum Metro station. There are CCTV cameras as per the earlier norms. He has, however, confirmed after going through the video footages that "it is true that something has happened".

In such a situation, the Metro authorities have strengthened their surveillance system as every inch of the platform and station premises cannot be manned by security personnel. "Survey to increase the CCTV coverage has been completed and approved. Procurement and installation of additional CCTV cameras are under process," said Vijayvargiya adding that the RPF special squad including one lady staff moves randomly in coaches and station area. They are being instructed to remain alert particularly during late evening hours.

Though the Metro authorities have clearly stated that they are not in favour of (moral) policing, a Facebook post extending support in favour of the people who beat up the young couple has sparked off a controversy. The Facebook post was, however, removed within a short span of time.

Meanwhile, youngsters held a demonstration on Wednesday outside Tollygunj Metro station against the alleged moral policing incident and offered "free hugs" to people to lodge their protest.

"We are doing nothing ... we are here just to spread love. Love will overpower everything. We have nothing more to say," a demonstrator said.