‘Syndicate’ men attack KMC workers, damage payloader off EM Bypass
Times of India | 6 May 2025
12 Kolkata: There was violence in the Anandapur area after an organized gang attacked KMC workers on Monday morning, damaging an earthmover. CCTV footage showed men carrying sickles and axes roaming the streets around 10 am. It took a large team of cops to restore peace.
Reacting to the incident, mayor Firhad Hakim said: "If my workers were assaulted, actually it was me who was slapped as I represent them. We are lodging an FIR and strong legal action will follow." Sushanta Ghosh, councillor of KMC's ward 108 and the borough chairman, has accused police of inaction in this incident.
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Sources said, prima facie, it seems that members of a local influential syndicate were unhappy that the contract for local drainage work was not handed to them and hence, planned the attack. Locals, though, claimed "they were misled" that the KMC workers were there to demolish houses, most of which are illegally constructed.
According to locals, a group of miscreants attacked the workers, obstructing the govt work and demanding money. "The miscreants came with sacks of bombs and sharp weapons. Municipal workers were assaulted, and a municipal JCB was vandalized," a local said.
KMC sources admitted they were "threatened, and pushed and shoved". KMC officials have lodged a complaint and cops said they are in the process of drawing up an FIR.
The police, though, claimed that no KMC employee was bodily harmed, and the protest was limited to equipment being vandalized. They also denied the use of bombs. "We have identified a few people. They are close to a local strongman who had been involved in multiple illegal activities," said an officer.
Lalbazar confirmed additional forces have been deployed in the area to prevent further untoward incidents.
Opposition leaders have demanded an immediate investigation into the syndicate's role in the attack.