An undertrial who had escaped three days ago after he fired at two policemen, was killed in an encounter in Uttar Dinajpur district early Saturday, said police, adding he was trying to cross over to Bangladesh.
The undertrial’s escape had prompted West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar to issue a warning: “If a criminal fires at us, we will fire back four times.”
“Today (Saturday), around 7.10 am, Sajjak Alam, who is accused of firing at policemen, was injured in an exchange of fire with the police. The incident took place near the Bangladesh border under Goyalpukur police station in Uttar Dinajpur district. The police had to fire in self defence. Alam was immediately rushed to the hospital,” Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) Rajesh Kumar Yadav said at a press briefing.
According to police, Alam received three bullet injuries and was rushed to Lodhan Rural Hospital. He succumbed to injuries at around 8.30 am.
On Wednesday, Alam had escaped on the way to Islampur prison after firing at two policemen, leaving them critically injured.
A day later, DGP Kumar, who visited the hospital where the two injured policemen are admitted, issued a stern warning to criminal elements, saying the police would “respond with four times the force” if they were fired at.
The injured police officials, Assistant Sub-Inspector Deben Baishya and Constable Nilkanta Sarkar, are currently undergoing treatment at a private nursing home in Siliguri’s Matigara.
“According to our investigation, the accused undertrial somehow got a gun from an accomplice while he was inside the court premises. He used that gun and fired at our colleagues. We have released the picture of the accused Sajak Alam and his accomplice Abdul Hussain and announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for any information on them,” a senior police officer of Islampur had said then.
The police had announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for information leading to Alam’s capture.
The Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) has demanded a judicial probe into Alam’s death, alleging it was a “staged encounter”.
In a statement, the APDR said, “There is sufficient reason to believe that Alam was a victim of a fake encounter. A neutral judicial investigation is essential to dispel these doubts. We urge West Bengal’s Home Minister Mamata Banerjee to immediately order a judicial inquiry.” The BJP welcomed the police action, stating it would boost public confidence in law enforcement.
“Earlier, the TMC government used to say encounters happen only in BJP-ruled states. We are happy the police acted tough in this instance, as it will boost the morale of the police force and reassure the public,” BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said.
With inputs from PTI