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A violent clash erupted in Malda district’s Manikchak area on Thursday amid protests over prolonged power outages in the area. Fifteen people have been arrested in connection with the violence, said police.
While two persons were injured allegedly in the police firing to disperse a stone-pelting mob, three police officers, including the Manikchak police station Inspector-in-Charge (IC), sustained injuries during the incident. The injured have been admitted to Malda Medical College for treatment, said police.
The local residents of Manikchak area had blocked roads at ten locations on Thursday morning to protest against the frequent power cuts. When police intervened to clear the road for traffic, the protesting locals refused to lift the blockade and started hurling stones at the police personnel and also vandalised police vehicles, said SP Pradeep Kumar Yadav, adding that three police personnel were injured in the attack.
“To bring the situation under control, the Rapid Action Force was called in. It swung into action and dispersed the mob,” Yadav said.
“For days, there is no electricity in Manikchak, no electricity all night. Children are suffering, falling sick. We have complained at different levels, but no help. So our protest will continue,” said one of the local resident, Shaminur Bibi, to a news channel.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has ordered an inquiry into the alleged firing during the incident, as well as sought a report stating why the police had to open fire. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s administration has promised a departmental investigation against the accused.
Manikchak TMC MLA Savitri Mitra, who condemned the violence, said, “For the last few days, several areas of Manikchak area were facing problems, amid power cuts at night. I asked the divisional officer many times to solve the problem. But it still persists. Nourpur, Sheikhupura, Chandipur were blocked due to this. As I requested the besiegers, they lifted the blockade, but the people of Enayetpur were adamant. What happened is not desirable. We are trying to bring the situation under control.”
Hitting out at the ruling party, the Opposition parties, including the BJP and the CPI(M), have criticized the state government’s handling of the situation and questioned the need for police to open fire.
BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar raised questions on police and said, “People are loosing their faith in the administration.”
Additionally, criticizing the police action CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty said, “This action of the police is not acceptable.”
Reacting to the criticism, TMC spokesperson and Kolkata Municipal councilor Arup Chakraborty said, “This is Mamata Banerjee’s government and proper investigation will be done. A departmental inquiry will be conducted against the accused.”
(With inputs from PTI)
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