Kolkata: Bidhannagar City Police arrested five persons for allegedly being involved in vandalism and rioting following the death of a 20-year-old app-based bike rider, Soumen Mondal, who was charred to death after a private vehicle rammed into his two-wheeler near the bridge linking Salt Lake's AK Block to Kestopur Canal Road last Wednesday. At least 15 other men were also detained in this regard.
The accused Surajit Sarkar (31), Sayan Ghosh (23), Akash Das (25), Mithun Haldar (32), and Rahul Sarkar (26) all hailed from Kestopur's Sidharth Colony. The arrests were made after analysis of CCTV footage and other electronic evidence like video grabs and photographs. "These five were the ringleaders who instigated and led the mob that attacked cops and journalists. We also have proof that the accused deliberately set up blockades so that two fire tenders that arrived within 10-12 minutes of the incident did not have any access to the burnt vehicles. They also pelted stones at the fire brigade. Others will also be arrested soon," said an officer.
Despite repeated cautions, the mob did not disperse, compelling police to use tear smoke shells and stem shells to disperse the protesters, said a cop.