A man was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the Shason area of North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, on Sunday.

The victim, Alamin Sahaji, a resident of Mahishgadi Sahajipara, was found hanging, but his family alleges he was beaten to death before being hanged, accusing the police of dismissing their attempts to report the incident. “He was beaten to death. Police tried to make it look like suicide. He has multiple wounds on his body,” a family member said.

Protests erupted in the Kharibari market area that evening, as locals surrounded the deceased’s body. Demonstrators, angered by the circumstances of Sahaji’s death and the implications of live-in relationships, clashed with the police, resulting in the assault of five officers, including the inspector-in-Charge. Nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence.

Family members said he had been in a relationship for a year, which had recently soured, allegedly leading to a brutal attack by locals.

The protests escalated as demonstrators blocked roads, set tires ablaze, and left Sahaji’s body on the street, causing significant traffic disruptions. “The arrested individuals will be presented in Barasat court on Monday,” said Pratiksha Jharkharia, Superintendent of Police for Barasat.