Police officer in trouble

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 1: Police have initiated an inquiry to look into a complaints filed against the sub- inspector of police, Mr Bikash Rai, who has been accused of demanding bribe from a restaurant-owner and later ransacking it in a drunken state, officials said today. It was learnt that additional SP himself booked the complaint against Mr Rai and interrogated him. A senior police official informed that Mr Rai, who was assigned to work with the Malda district Intelligence branch, would be in trouble if the complaint filed against him proved out to be true. “Mr Rai was accused of entering a town restaurant forcibly last night, and demanding money from its owner in a drunken state. He also physically abused restaurant owner and his workers later”, said a businessman from the same locality where the said restaurant is located. The owner of the restaurant, Debasis Kundu, said: “After physically assaulting my workers in a drunken state, Mr Rai turned towards me and demanded Rs 5,000 immediately. We did not retaliate even when he attacked me. Instead, we locked up Mr Rai and contacted the ASP for help”. The Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce has sharply reacted to this incident. Mr Jayanta Kundu, secretary of the MMCC, said: “Businessmen are planning to launch a massive agitation soon if no steps are taken against the accused police officer”. The ASP, Mr Debasis Boral, said: “We are seriously looking into this matter. We will take necessary action on the basis of the investigation report”.