Two residents were injured allegedly in police firing to disperse a stone-pelting mob. The Inspector-in-Charge (IC) of Manikchak police station and an ASI are among the three injured policemen.
The injured have been admitted to Malda Medical College for treatment.
According to police, residents had blocked roads at 10 locations on Thursday morning to protest against frequent power cuts.
When police intervened to clear the road for traffic, the protesting locals refused to lift the blockade and started hurling stones at the police team and vandalising police vehicles, said Superintendent of Police Pradeep Kumar Yadav.
“To bring the situation under control, the Rapid Action Force was called in. It swung into action and dispersed the mob,” Yadav said, adding that police had to open fire in self defence.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has ordered an inquiry and sought a report on why the police had to open fire.
“Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has promised a departmental investigation against the accused,” a senior official at Nabanna said.
TMC MLA from Manikchak Savitri Mitra, condemned the violence.
“For the last few days, several areas of Manikchak area were facing problems, amid power cuts at night. I asked the divisional officer many times to solve the problem. But it still persists. Nourpur, Sheikhupura, and Chandipur were blocked due to this. As I requested the protesters, they lifted the blockade, but the people of Enayetpur were adamant. What happened is not desirable. We are trying to bring the situation under control,” the MLA said.
A resident of the area told a news channel: “For days, there has been no electricity in Manikchak. No electricity all night. Children are suffering and falling sick. We have complained at different levels, but there has been no help. So, our protest will continue.”
While the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL), responsible for the power supply in the state, was not available for comment, sources said the theft of power cables led to the disruption in the electricity supply.
The Opposition parties, meanwhile, slammed the TMC government over the handling of the situation and questioned the police action.
State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said, “People are losing faith in the administration.”
CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said, “This action of the police is not acceptable.”
Reacting to the criticism, TMC spokesperson and Kolkata Municipal councillor Arup Chakraborty said, “This is Mamata Banerjee’s government and proper investigation will be done. A departmental inquiry will be conducted against the accused.”
—With PTI