New Year celebrations in Kolkata took a violent turn in the early hours of Thursday, leaving at least fifteen people injured and several vehicles damaged in separate clashes reported from the Tangra and Tiljala areas of the city.
Violence Erupts in Tangra Near Midnight
The first incident of violence was reported around 12:15 am on Thursday from Mathur Babu Lane, near a health centre under the jurisdiction of the Tangra Police Station. According to police, a group of accused individuals engaged in rioting using weapons including lathis, hockey sticks, bricks, and glass bottles.
A suo-motu case was registered based on a complaint filed by Sub-Inspector O.P. Shaw of Tangra PS. The complaint detailed that the rioting mob also obstructed police personnel who were attempting to disperse the unlawful assembly. Several two-wheelers and a private car were damaged in the violence.
Among the injured, Soumen Adhikary suffered a severe eye injury, with doctors expressing fears that he may lose his eyesight. Police have identified numerous accused in the Tangra case, including:
- Sankari Das
- Saraswati
- Rina Das
- Subroto
- Biswa
- Rahul
- Danish
- Among others like Gouri Das, Sanjib, Paresh, Reshma, Sarika, Rita, Naru, Bholey, Mita, Anita, Sambhu, Meena, and Gopi.
Investigations into the Tangra incident are currently ongoing.
Second Clash Minutes Later in Tiljala
Minutes after the Tangra violence, a second clash was reported from Hazari Gully in front of Tiljala Lane, under the limits of the Tiljala Police Station. Sub-Inspector Pratap Sarkar filed a written suo-motu complaint stating that the violence erupted when two groups began scuffling and fighting in the lane and surrounding areas.
The officer alleged that the groups used sticks and bricks during the clash. The complaint further stated that the groups were inciting others on multiple grounds and that the violence appeared to be organised with a motive to create trouble at the beginning of the new year.
Police stated that repeated orders to stop the clash were ignored. The situation was brought under control only after reinforcements arrived, following which several individuals attempted to flee. Police managed to detain a few and arrested two men. A police picket was subsequently posted in the area to maintain peace.
Police Action and Legal Proceedings
In the Tiljala case, the complaint has been lodged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections 192, 191(2), 191(3), 190, 109, 351(3), and 3(5). Officers confirmed that all necessary steps were taken to restore and maintain peace in the affected localities following the twin incidents.
The clashes have cast a shadow over the New Year festivities in the city, raising concerns about public safety and law and order during celebratory events. The police investigation aims to uncover the precise causes behind the violence and identify all individuals involved.
