Kolkata Violence: Police Trace Kankulia Clash to Kasba Rivalry
Kolkata police have confirmed that the violent incident that erupted in Kankulia on Sunday has its immediate roots in an earlier clash at Kasba. However, authorities emphasized that tensions between the involved groups had been simmering for an extended period. This longstanding friction reportedly stems from Kasba-Tiljala strongman Sona Pappu, also known as Biswajit Poddar's key associate, Babusona Mandal, attempting to expand his influence into the Dhakuria area.
Developer Opposition and Local Resistance
Developer Bapi Halder strongly opposed this territorial expansion bid, receiving support from local residents involved in satta racket operations. According to police statements, the specific instigation for Sunday's violence came from a group of approximately twenty men, including Halder himself. This group allegedly created a significant disturbance at BB Chatterjee Street, near a popular pizza outlet, on Sunday afternoon.
This direct challenge on what is considered Pappu and Babusona's established turf prompted the two figures to mobilize dozens of their own supporters. This mobilization ultimately led to the coordinated attack at Kankulia that resulted in the violent confrontation. In response to these events, Kolkata police have now registered a separate case at Kasba police station specifically addressing the incidents that precipitated the violence.
Formal Complaint and Allegations
The case was officially registered based on a detailed complaint filed by Dolly Baidya, a 48-year-old resident of Baikuntha Ghosh Road. The complaint names multiple individuals including Bapi Halder, Subhasish, Ampa Halder, Tarak Halder, Chapdari Babu, Biswas Vicky, Rakesh, Tanya, Tera Deepak, Rahul, Bubai Deb, Tinnath, Kalu Halder, Sonu, along with approximately twenty unidentified persons.
According to the formal allegations documented in the complaint, the accused individuals arrived at the location carrying various weapons. The group is further accused of vandalizing property by breaking chairs and a table that had been placed on the footpath. The complainant additionally alleged that the accused used vulgar language and issued direct threats at the scene, creating an atmosphere of intimidation and fear.
Local Community Action and Syndicate Investigations
Police sources revealed that local residents, including a substantial number of women, sought police assistance to dismantle a gambling den operated by an individual named Sanju near the railway tracks. Following this community-led action, Sanju and his associates reportedly suspected that Sona Pappu had instigated the demolition of their gambling operation.
Ongoing police investigations have uncovered that Halder's syndicate maintains significant involvement in real estate promotion activities around the Kakulia area. In contrast, Sona Pappu and Babusona Mandal operate a separate syndicate with established influence across Kasba, Tiljala, and Topsia regions of Kolkata.
Strategic Timing and Prepared Response
A police officer involved in the investigation provided additional insight into the strategic elements of the conflict. "Babusona was aware that approximately 150 local residents had gone on a picnic," the officer explained. "He intended to use this temporary absence to his advantage by reaching Halder's office to deliver a strong, unambiguous message about territorial boundaries."
The officer added a crucial observation about the unfolding events: "What Babusona fundamentally underestimated was that Sanju and his associates were thoroughly prepared for their approach. This miscalculation contributed significantly to the escalation that followed."
The investigation continues as Kolkata police work to fully unravel the complex network of relationships, territorial disputes, and syndicate operations that underlie this violent incident in the city.
