Labourer charred in Narkeldanga night blaze, 50 shanties gutted
Times of India | 10 February 2025
123 Kolkata: The charred body of a 62-year-old Sandeshkhali resident, Habibullah Mollah, was dragged out of the fire-ravaged Narkeldanga shanties early on Sunday morning by the fire brigade and police, prompting sporadic protests by a section of locals. Mollah was a labourer who worked in a local paper and plastic godown for Rs 250 daily and often slept in the Narkeldanga Canal (West) Road godown-shanty where he was burnt while asleep on Saturday night, his daughter Manohara Biwi said. Sixteen fire engines battled for over four hours from 11 pm on Saturday to douse the flames. Fifty shanties were gutted.
Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim, who went to the spot on Sunday morning, faced sporadic protests with a section of locals blaming local ward 36 councillor Sachin Singh for the fire. Singh's loyalists strongly protested against it. Hakim, caught in the crossfire, assured the locals that whatever is permissible under the law will be done for them. Police stepped in to separate the rival factions. "This is irrigation land. But people have been staying here for long. We are always there for the poor. We will act as per govt rules. If the irrigation dept permits, we can also consider rehabilitating the displaced under the state's Banglar Bari scheme," the mayor told reporters.
As the locals claimed that it was Singh who settled them here illegally in lieu of money, Singh responded strongly, refuting the charges. He said, "They are making illegal constructions here. They are illegally selling off the canal water. And when I raised this issue, the protestors targeted me." Later, Singh also demanded that due to the threats to him, he should be given police protection.
Manohara, the deceased's daughter, said, "The fire was first noticed in a shanty a little farther away. But due to paper and plastics, it burnt rapidly. The wind also made it spread faster, and my father was burnt in his sleep. We have been working and staying here for decades. We want compensation."
The tension was palpable since morning as locals were split in their loyalties. "A week ago, there was a fight. A local tough said he will get rid of all of us and set fire to the place. And now, after a week, the fire happened. We are poor people, we have lost everything, and now we need a place to stay with our family," said Sk Sarkar (48), whose home was gutted. "I am disabled. I have nothing left to feed my grandchild. We have taken shelter in someone else's home," said Akni Biwi (70).
Check out our live coverage of Super Bowl LIX and find details on how to watch Super Bowl 2025 live on Times of India.