Hili bandh peaceful

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 5: The 12-hour Hili bandh, called by the locals to protest against yesterday’s death of a civilian in BSF firing at Bhimpur village, passed off peacefully today. The bandh evoked a near-total response.Meanwhile, the South Dinajpur police have framed charges under Section 302 IPC against Mr P Jayakumar, a BSF jawan, who allegedly shot dead one Shyamal Mahato (45) yesterday. The South Dinajpur ASP, Mr Bhuban Mandal, said the BSF jawans would be arrested after the doctors release him from the hospital. Mr Jayakumar who was attacked by the locals yesterday, is undergoing treatment at the Balurghat hospital, police said. The DIG of BSF’s Malda sector, Mr DV Saraswat, said: “I have issued a court of inquiry order into the incident. Departmental action would be taken against the accused jawan on the basis of the reports and facts available.” Mr Saraswat who also visited Bhimpur village yesterday, added: “I met the locals there. However, no one could narrate the incident properly. Mr Jayakumar is not in a condition to make any statement.” The BSF officials, meanwhile, have alleged that the villagers also attacked other BSF jawans, besides damaging a vehicle.