Clash leaves 10 hurt in Kaliachak

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Oct. 24: At least 10 persons, including a policeman, were injured when hundreds of migrant labourers attacked a group of miscreants allegedly involved in extorting, exploiting and torturing women, at Nayagram village in Malda’s Kaliachak police station area today.Authorities said the migrant labourers attacked the miscreants during Id Namaj at the village today. It was alleged that the miscreants used to exploit the women taking advantage of their husbands’ absence who work in different states. When their wives told them about the activities of the miscreants, the migrant labourers, who had come to the village to celebrate Id, went berserk and attacked the miscreants, police said. The situation worsened when the miscreants threw bricks targeting the women at the village today, in a bid to tease their (the wome’s) husbands, police said. A woman brought the matter to the notice of the migrant labourers who became furious and declared war on the miscreants.“The angry villagers threw stones and even burst crude bombs targeting the miscreants. They also set a house on fire,” the Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said. Senior police officials, including the Malda ASP, rushed to the spot to control the situation.The SDO, Malda Sadar, Ms Arunima De, also accompanied the police officials. The police have so far not been able to arrest the members of the criminal group.The SP, Mr DK Mondal, however, said the situation was under control in the village now.“We have launched a combing operation to nab the accused miscreants,” the SP, said.He appealed to the residents of Nayagram village to maintain peace. “We are trying our best to arrest the accused persons.Strict action would be taken against them if they are found guilty,” Mr Mondal, said.