Students held for possessing arms

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 13: Police arrested two youths ~ Safikul Islam, a student of Gour Mahavidyalaya and Palash Saha ~ today on charges of possessing illegal firearms. Safikul Islam alias Nipu is a Chhatra Parishad candidate for the upcoming students’ union elections of the college. The arrest has caused terrible embarrassment for the Chhatra Parishad.

Though the CP leaders claimed today that SFI backed goons had attacked the two youths last night, police are not buying the story. Police have learnt that the two were involved in a shooting incident along with several others.

According to police, the incident occurred at Gour Das's house at Surya Sen Pally (Gayeshpur) in English Bazaar police station area. According to a written statement from Gour Das to police, Palash took the illegal firearm from Safikul and was toying with it when it went off injuring the two. The two were admitted to Malda district hospital with bullet injuries at their hand and feet. Police have taken them in custody and are searching for the firearms.

“Goons attacked our candidate last night near Mangalbari when he was returning after a meeting with some students who live in areas under the Gazole police station. Police are siding with the SFI to damage the CP's image before the college election,” said Mr Ujjal Sheikh, CP district working president.

The SFI has a different version. “The arrest of a CP candidate with illegal arms has proved that terror tactics is their way. The SFI could not field candidates in seven seats of Gour Mahavidyalay out of a total of 25 seats for the students’ union elections due to CP’s terror tactics,” said Malda district SFI secretary Mr Joy Chakraborty. “I have heard of the incident. What can I say?” was the reaction of the college principal Dr Pranatosh Sen.