Kolkata Gang Shooting: Purba Phoolbagan Residents Mistook Gunfire for Firecrackers
In a chilling incident that unfolded in the early hours of Thursday, residents of the Purba Phoolbagan area in Kolkata's Baghajatin neighborhood were jolted awake by what they initially believed to be late-night celebrations involving firecrackers. However, the reality was far more sinister: the loud bangs were actually gunshots, marking a violent gang attack that has left the community traumatized and demanding immediate security measures.
A Scene Straight Out of a Hindi Potboiler
Despite Kolkata's familiarity with political violence, the shooting, which occurred between 12:45 am and 1 am, deeply shook residents. One local described it as "like watching a scene out of a Hindi potboiler," highlighting the surreal and frightening nature of the event. The attack took place on the terrace of a residential building, where the victim, identified as Jeet, was shot multiple times.
"It is not only about a murder but how it was committed," said a resident who witnessed the aftermath with his daughter. "The shooting happened on the terrace of our building, it was frightening and traumatising. Even after the bullets were shot, the gang members remained in the neighbourhood for over 10 minutes, terrorising everyone, vandalizing a bike and a car and crying arson. They then sauntered away. Meanwhile, Jeet was bleeding all over and his wife, Ruma, was crying for help."
Residents' Harrowing Accounts
Soma Dutta, another resident, was awakened by the loud noises. "Five to six shots were fired one after the other," she recounted. "As we looked out of the window, we saw six men around the entrance of our building. They vandalised Jeet's bike and then, turned their attention to his car. It seemed they wanted to set everything on fire." Dutta and her husband were particularly concerned about their own vehicle, parked outside as Jeet and his friends had occupied their garage space.
Kabita Dasgupta provided further details, noting that Jeet's wife, with their young daughter in tow, desperately banged on neighbors' doors for assistance. "These residents mustered courage and came forward to help," she said. "On seeing people coming out of their homes, the accused gang walked away though they neither showed fear nor repentance. They walked to a distance and then, rode away on their bikes."
Mixed Perceptions of the Victim
Most locals were aware of Jeet's criminal background, yet he held a complex image in the community. Abhijit Dutta, a resident, explained, "But he has a different image in the locality. He and Rahul, who lived in Chatterjee Colony, would always be there for people. Recently, Jeet played a crucial role when a fire broke out here. He also used his political connections to help people out with the state welfare schemes."
However, not everyone viewed Jeet favorably. One resident pointed out, "He is not exactly a role model. He holds parties at odd hours, usurps garage space, but no one dares to protest, given his political clout." This duality underscores the intricate social dynamics at play in the area.
Political Response and Security Concerns
In the aftermath, political figures including Trinamool Jadavpur aspirant Debabrata Majumdar and CPM nominee Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya visited the site. Residents seized the opportunity to demand the immediate installation of CCTV cameras, citing previous unproductive meetings with the administration. Police investigations revealed that most CCTV cameras in nearby areas, including one at the KMC Ward 101 office, were broken, exacerbating security vulnerabilities.
Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting, but the incident has sparked broader concerns about safety and governance in the neighborhood. The community's call for enhanced surveillance reflects a growing urgency to prevent such violent episodes in the future.
