5 days after assault, buzz missing in neighbourhood
Times of India | 4 February 2024
Kolkata: Even as the local police say they will need some more time to carry out the arrest of main conspirators, who had assaulted 55-year-old Kolkata-born US citizen, Jishnu Nath, residents of Kankulia Road that usually buzzes with chatter have clammed up over the assault of a fellow resident.
From the flats on Kankulia Road to the slum where main accused Kokhon Sardar and his brother Bhailo Sardar have a strong footing, any mention about Monday almost five days after the incident evoked only silence.
“This is something on which we will not like to comment,” said a resident, who is an IT firm executive. A senior citizen, who lives in a nearby flat, said the two brothers had “visited” his residence on a number of occasions. “While I will not discuss the reasons behind these visits, they do acknowledge me when they pass by me and have been courteous towards me. I have not seen them in sometime,” he said.
It was not before 2.30 pm-3 pm on Monday that a team of officers reached Nath’s home. After that, the action, though, was a tad faster. By 6 pm, another police team had taken him to MR Bangur Hospital for a medical examination. After that, he was taken to the police station, where he lodged a complaint, based on which an FIR was drawn up against the accused.
Those residing in the slum said Khokon had been helping them with odd jobs. “Whether he is in the wrong will be decided in the courts. Why should we be speaking about him?” asked Malati Poddar, a local resident.
Sources said the accused might soon try to move for anticipatory bail. Meanwhile, cops have stated that they have firmed up on a list of people whose statements will be recorded. One of them may be Nath’s brother-in-law, who resides in Belur and hails from Punjab, who too was threatened with dire consequences when he tried to come to the victim’s rescue. The cops are also planning to get his statement recorded before a magistrate to bolster their case.