Chaos erupts in Ashoknagar after truck mows down motorcyclist

Kolkata: The situation turned chaotic at Suria, Ashoknagar in North 24-Parganas, after a motorcyclist was ran over by a 10-wheeler Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) on Tuesday. Immediately, locals started an agitation and put up a blockade on the Naihati-Habra Road, alleging negligence of police in managing traffic. It was also alleged that police often take money from the goods vehicles.

According to locals, on Tuesday morning one Saifuddin Mondal, a resident of Suria, was going to work at Ashoknagar market on his bike. Near Suria crossing, a truck loaded with LPG cylinders hit his bike while speeding up, as it was trying to avoid police intervention.

Local residents alleged that some police personnel were present at the time of the accident, who were ensuring that no goods vehicle could pass through without giving money to them.

Seeing the police, the driver tried to give them a slip and ran over Mondal in the process. Despite witnessing the accident, the police personnel allegedly left the place immediately without taking necessary actions. This led to the agitation by locals.

After a while, a police patrolling van reached the spot. However, local residents started pelting bricks at them upon seeing the van. To save themselves, the police personnel fled from the spot, leaving the patrolling van there.

Later, agitated locals ransacked the car. Around the same time, a West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) bus was passing through the area. Locals allegedly forced the driver to stop the bus and ransacked it as well.

Immediately, senior police officials were informed. Another team was sent to the spot to remove the body. Later, a huge police force along with Rapid Action Force (RAF) and combat force arrived at the spot and had to initiate lathi charge to disperse the violent mob. Due to this, the Naihati-Habra Road was closed for almost five hours.

Three persons have been detained for law and order violation and two cases have been initiated in this regard.

"Action will be taken against the law violators accordingly. The situation is under control now," said C Sudhakar, Superintendent of Police (SP), Barasat police district.