The Kolkata Police have launched a criminal investigation into a group of local miscreants who allegedly severed the essential drinking water supply in a south Kolkata neighbourhood during peak summer and attempted to extort money from residents following the declaration of the state assembly election results.
Civic Crisis in Bantala
The civic crisis has gripped a locality in the Bantala area under the jurisdiction of Anandapur Police Station. It came to light after a local woman filed a formal written complaint detailing systemic harassment, intimidation, and the weaponisation of basic amenities.
According to police officials, the disruption began on May 4, coinciding with the announcement of the election outcomes. A group of influential local anti-social elements allegedly used illegal means to tamper with the municipal water infrastructure maintained by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
Extortion Tactics
The suspects reportedly began targeting local families, demanding specific sums of money to restore the vital water connection. Residents were allegedly threatened that the water supply would remain indefinitely suspended if the extortion demands were not met.
The situation escalated significantly over the weekend. When a group of local women gathered to protest the illegal disconnection and reason with the perpetrators, the miscreants responded with aggression. The attackers reportedly subjected the women to severe verbal abuse and made indecent remarks intended to insult their modesty. When met with further resistance, the suspects issued threats of grievous physical injury, trapping the neighbourhood in a state of constant fear.
Additional Services Disrupted
In addition to cutting off the drinking water, the influential group allegedly forced a halt to essential civic cleaning and sanitation works in the area. Local municipal workers were reportedly intimidated and threatened to ensure that residents could no longer access basic public services, compounding the health risks in the locality.
Legal Action Taken
Acting on the complaint, Anandapur Police Station registered a formal case. Law enforcement authorities booked multiple suspects under several stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include sections pertaining to extortion and extortionate threats, criminal intimidation, acts intended to insult the modesty of women, and offences committed with a common intention.
The Kolkata Police confirmed that a comprehensive investigation has been launched under the supervision of the assistant officer-in-charge of the Anandapur Section.
