On Tuesday night, a violent confrontation unfolded at a naka checking point in Kolkata, leaving three police officers injured after they were assaulted by an enraged mob. The incident took place around 11:00 pm, during a routine check by the Park Circus traffic police guard, led by Sergeant Koutuk Ghosh. The naka check was part of a broader initiative aimed at maintaining law and order in the area, but the situation quickly spiraled out of control when a local resident, identified as Bubai Hazra, was stopped and questioned by the police.
Hazra, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time, reacted aggressively to the officers' questioning. What began as a verbal altercation soon escalated, with Hazra threatening the officers. In a bid to intimidate the police further, Hazra called upon his associates, and within minutes, a mob of approximately 20 to 30 individuals arrived at the scene to confront the officers. The situation became chaotic as the mob, visibly agitated, attacked Sergeant Ghosh, a civic volunteer, and a constable who were present at the check post.Â
The officers were physically assaulted by the group, with Sergeant Ghosh sustaining injuries to his back and head during the altercation. The mob then proceeded to vandalize the officers' motorbikes, smashing them in a fit of rage. There were also explicit threats made by the mob to set the bikes ablaze, escalating the potential for further violence and destruction. The sheer number of attackers, combined with their violent intent, made the situation particularly dangerous for the outnumbered officers.
In response to the attack, reinforcements from the Kolkata Police were called in to control the situation, and after a brief but intense standoff, the police managed to disperse the mob and restore order. The injured officers, including Sergeant Ghosh, were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Despite the severity of their injuries, they were discharged later that night after receiving necessary medical care.
Following the incident, a formal complaint was lodged at the Topsia Police Station, and the primary accused, Bubai Hazra, was arrested. The charges against Hazra and other members of the mob include assault, vandalism, and threatening public servants. The case has attracted significant attention due to the brazenness of the attack on law enforcement personnel, prompting calls for swift justice and stricter measures to protect officers on duty.
On Wednesday, Hazra was presented before the court, where he faced serious charges for his role in the attack. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and a verdict is yet to be delivered. However, the incident has sparked wider discussions about the safety and security of police officers during their routine duties, as well as the rising trend of mob violence in the city. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation into the matter, and additional arrests are expected as police work to identify all individuals involved in the attack.
This brazen assault on Kolkata police officers highlights the growing challenges law enforcement faces in certain high-tension areas. The incident underscores the risks officers take while performing even routine checks and has raised questions about the need for enhanced protection and support for police personnel during such operations. The city administration is reportedly reviewing protocols for naka checking and has indicated that stronger measures will be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future.
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