Locals claimed police firing had led to the death of two people.
Two people were left dead and one seriously injured in alleged police firing at Bhangar in Bengal's South 24 parganas district on Tuesday. Clashes between the villagers and cops reached a boiling point after work on a power sub station of Power Grid Corporation of India, for which 13 acres of land had been acquired, neared completion.
One of the deceased identified as Mofizul Ali Khan was rushed to the SSKM hospital in Kolkata with bullet injuries. His brother, Intajul Khan said that Mofizul was not one of those whose land was acquired but he was protesting against the probable health hazards owing to the power grid project. Another person named Alam, who had also suffered bullet injuries was declared dead by the RG Kar hospital. One more person is said to be in a serious condition.
While villagers allege that the protestors were injured in the police firing, police maintained that they did not fire or cause any injury. In fact a section of officers in the state government said that the protestors attacked police officers, injuring several of them. “We restricted ourselves to the use of tear gas shells and rubber bullets. These are non-lethal weapons, which cannot result in any injury or death,” said a senior police official, who refused to be named.
On the other hand, sources at Nabanna – the West Bengal state secretariat - highlighted that a huge contingent of Kolkata Police force will be rushed at night to Bhangar to identify 'outsiders', who are reportedly spearheading the agitation.
Besides Kolkata Police, forces from the Bengal Police including the RAF and combat force have been deployed to maintain the law and order situation in the area.
Meanwhile, CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted that the government would not forcibly acquire farmer’s land and would relocate the project if needed. However, the tweet was later deleted.
There had been tension simmering at Kamarhati, Paddapukur and Khamaraiet areas of Bhangar since January 15 and it erupted on Tuesday in the shape of spurts of clashes between protesting villagers and police officials
Area locals had alleged that since the agitation was on, police had raided their homes at night and arrested one of their leaders, Kalu Sheikh and beat up many. In the morning, the locals had put up road blocks at different places with logs to prevent entry of police. Later during the day when police, along with RAF personnel, tried to enter the village, an irate mob threw stones, hurled bombs after which police opened a lathicharge and fired tear gas shells. The violent mob reportedly burnt three police vehicles and pushed four others into a pond.
Local MLA Abdur Rezzak Mollah faced resistance as he tried to enter the area. Instead, he went to the local party office. “I have been asked by Mamata to pacify the people here and I am waiting for them to cool down to initiate a dialogue. At the moment they are too agitated and you cant douse fire with fire,” he said.
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