A protest over a delayed bridge reconstruction escalated into violence in Kolkata's northern fringes on Friday night, resulting in injuries to several police officers and damage to government vehicles. The Rajarhat police have registered a case and named 16 individuals as accused following the chaotic incident in Dakshin Nayabad.
Protest Over Dilapidated Bridge Turns Ugly
The unrest originated from a long-standing grievance of residents regarding the reconstruction of a dilapidated wooden bridge in Kada village. According to the official complaint filed by Sub-Inspector Tosmina Khatun, information reached the Rajarhat Police Station around 8 PM on January 8. It stated that a group had initiated a sit-in protest on the main road at Dakshin Nayabad, severely obstructing vehicular traffic.
Acting on directives from senior officers, SI Khatun and a team, including women police personnel, arrived at the scene. They encountered a substantial crowd of approximately 250 to 300 people blocking the thoroughfare. The situation quickly deteriorated as protesters allegedly piled up tyres and other inflammable materials on the road and set them ablaze.
Attempts at Peaceful Resolution Fail
In an attempt to address the core issue, the Officer-in-Charge of Rajarhat PS later arrived and spoke to an executive engineer via cellphone, urging him to expedite the bridge work. This conversation was amplified to the public using a public address system in a bid to placate the agitators.
Police officials repeatedly urged the demonstrators to clear the road blockade or move their protest to a non-disruptive location. However, the crowd refused to comply and grew increasingly aggressive. The complaint details that the protesters began using abusive language before escalating to pelting bricks at the police force deployed at the spot.
Violence Erupts, Firearms Displayed
The confrontation turned violent, with multiple police personnel, including SI Tosmina Khatun, sustaining injuries. In a particularly serious allegation, some members of the crowd are accused of displaying firearms to intimidate the officers. Women police personnel reportedly faced obscene remarks and criminal force during the melee. Government vehicles at the location were also damaged in the violence.
Following the incident, the Rajarhat police took swift action. Based on the complaint, they have formally named 16 accused persons in the case. Several individuals were also detained for questioning as the investigation into the violent protest continues. The police are examining all evidence to identify others involved in the attack on public servants and property.
