Bullets fly, RAF deployed as mobs clash outside Belur police station

HOWRAH: Bullets flew and bombs were hurled in a clash between two groups of alleged Trinamool workers, leaving at least three persons injured, right in front of Belur police station on Monday morning.


The clash, which continued for more than one and a half hours, was brought under control after resistance by locals and deployment of RAF.

All this while, officers allegedly stayed inside the police station. Five trouble-makers were later detained for interrogation. The injured were admitted to T L Jaiswal Hospital in Howrah.

Witnesses said the clash broke out after a pool car hit a two-wheeler at the crossing of GT Road and Gardener Road — only a kilometre from Belur Math — around 10.30am, injuring rider Hareram Rai and his eight-year-old daughter Aswini. Soon, Rai’s neighbours from Jangi Singh Gully locality joined him in a protest. But pool car driver Billu and his helper Kallu also mobilised supporters and started beating up Rai and his neighbour Bablu Jana with iron rods.

After being informed, officers from Belur PS reached the spot and detained Billu and Kallu. Police said Billu made calls from his mobile before entering the police station, informing his neighbours at Matowallya Chowrasta that he had been picked up by police. Soon, a 60-strong crowd from the area gathered outside Belur police station. They were allegedly armed with rods, bombs and guns and were led by former Trinamool councillor of Howrah Municipal Corporation’s ward number 62, Rajib Dhamman.

Words soon spread in Rai’s locality that Dhamman had led a crowd to the police station. Former HMC councillor of adjoining ward 61, Kailash Mishra, then allegedly led a crowd of some 40-50 locals to the police station. They were allegedly armed with sticks. By then, Dhamman had allegedly entered the police station. “Soon, a clash broke out between the two groups in front of Belur police station. The rival groups allegedly hurled bricks at each other. The clash soon intensified, with one group hurling bombs and firing in the air,” said a witness.

Passers-by alleged that cops shut the collapsible gate of the police station and chose to remain inside. Anima Ray, who was taking her son to school, said, “Since vehicles had come to a standstill on G T Road, we managed to get into a bus that was caught in traffic snarls.” Almost after one and a half hours, a RAF contingent was deployed at the spot to bring the situation under control.

Dhamman later said, “This is a clash between residents of two localities. I heard that two innocent youths from my area were detained and had gone to the police station to ask the cops the reason for their detention.”

Mishra said, “I went to the spot after I heard that Dhamman had led a crowd to the police station to free the pool car driver and his helper.”

ACP (north) Pratiksha Jhajaria said, “We dispersed the clashing mobs and restored normality. We have launched a search for the miscreants.” Denying allegations of cop inaction, DC (north), Amit Rathod, said: “We are looking into the charges of bullets being fired.” State minister Arup Ray said, “I have warned both Dhamman and Mishra. I will conduct a probe and take necessary actions against them.”