Tension with cops after 'criminal' dies with bullet injury

Allegations and counter allegations between police and local residents sparked a controversy at Jalangi in Murshidabad following the death of a youth who was shot during a group clash.

The local villagers have alleged that the victim Minarul Mollah (28) died after being shot by a policeman. A senior police officer in the district, however, said that police did not fire at the victim. He might have received a bullet injury when a clash broke out between two antisocial groups.

The officer claimed that the victim was involved in smuggling drugs and the incident might be a result of a clash between two rival groups.

The local residents on Wednesday morning put up roadblock at Dhanirampur. Senior police officer reached the spot and tried to convince the people to lift the ban. But a heated altercation broke out between the police and the local residents. Police had to resort to lathi-charge to control the mob.

The officer also said that the police reached Tiktikitala area where the victim, a wanted criminal, had taken refuge. When a team of police reached the area, they found that the victim was already shot by some unidentified criminals belonging to his rival group.

The family members of the victim refused to accept the police version and alleged that he was killed in the police firing. They also claimed that the police fired three rounds of fire when the victim received a bullet injury.