All hell breaks loose at Bishnupur after hooch traders assault protesters

Kolkata: Locals from South 24-Parganas' Bishnupur area including some women were allegedly assaulted on Thursday morning after they protested against the selling of hooch in the locality.

The incident occurred a day after 12 persons died consuming spurious liquor in Nadia.

Thursday's incident triggered tension among the locals. A chaos broke out at 10.30 am on Thursday after local women raised an objection against the selling of hooch in the vicinity.

Following the incident, some of the hooch traders allegedly attacked the houses of the protestors and assaulted them. Some others who came to their rescue were also attacked by the accused. Around 10 persons including some women reportedly received injuries during the incident.

The villagers from Gouripur area under Bishnupur police station alleged that the illegal hooch business has been going on in the area for nearly six months.

As a result, hooligans from various parts of the districts often gather in the area and allegedly eve-tease local women.

They expressed their anger and said the children are growing up in an atmosphere where people consume alcohol and use expletives. The matter was reported to the police but no steps have been taken in the past.

It was learnt that some of the locals ransacked a portion of the hooch den.

The accused might have attacked the houses of some villagers to take revenge, the locals alleged.

The locals have time and again protested against the running of a hooch den in the area on repeated occasions. They also submitted a memorandum to the local police station in this regard. The villagers on Thursday staged a protest demonstration after some women were assaulted by the hooch traders.

The owner of the hooch den and some of his associates fled the spot after the incident.

After being informed police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

A police picket has been set up in the area as tension prevailed. Police are conducting raids to nab the culprits who are at large.