Teen shot dead in clashes in near Kolkata, hours before top cop’s arrival

Mangalore Today News Network

Kolkata, June 20, 2019: A 17-year-old boy was shot dead and four were injured in West Bengal’s violence-hit Bhatpara, just north of Kolkata, in clashes between unidentified people on Thursday morning.

 

The teenager, Rambabu Shaw, was a pani puri (puchka) seller. The four injured are critical and have been admitted in hospital.

As crude bombs were thrown and gunshots were fired, the police used tear gas shells and, some reports claim, also opened fire.

All this, just hours before the Director General of Police was to inaugurate a new building for the local police station in North 24 Parganas district.

This is the latest in a series of clashes in Bhatpara since the nation election, during which massive clashes and violence were seen in the state. The clashes have, on occasion, acquired communal undertones.

The Director General of Police was on his way to inaugurate a new building of the Bhatpara police station when the blasts took place an hour before his arrival.

His convoy turned around and headed back to Kolkata.The inauguration of the new police station has been put on hold.

A team of police officers along with Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel has been deployed in the area, with shops, market places and business establishments seen downing shutters following the unrest.

Bhatpara and the neighbouring town of Kankinara were hit by poll-related violence. Bhatpara has witnessed a series of clashes since May 19, when by-election was held in the assembly constituency.

(With inputs from PTI)