KOLKATA: A 45-year-old homemaker was beaten to death after she turned up at a Durga puja pandal to offer prayer without paying puja subscription in Murshidabad on Tuesday. She was beaten up with fist and blows, and bamboo stick as her family refused to pay puja subscription and she turned up at the pandal to offer prayer. Five people, including two women have been arrested.
According to police, the bizarre incident took place at Sanyasidanga village in Murshidabad district.
“Suchitra Mondal, the deceased, came to the puja pandal like others to offer prayer. On seeing her present at the pandal, a section of women and puja organisers restrained her from moving further towards the idol of goddess Durga. The organisers told her that she would not be allowed at the pandal because her family refused to pay puja subscription when other villagers paid,’’ said an officer of Murshidabad district police.
Suchitra was not ready to leave the puja pandal and she was determined to offer prayer. “During the course of the altercation, those who restrained the women pounced on her and assaulted her. Unable to protect herself, Suchitra slumped to the ground,’’ said the police officer. Mrinmay Mondal, nephew of the deceased, said the puja organisers threatened his aunt with dire consequences if she goes in front of the idol. “As she refused to pay heed to the warning, a group of women and puja organisers started beating up her. They did not even spare my aunt when she fell on the ground. She was beaten up with bamboo sticks. Other villagers intervened and came to my aunt’s rescue,’’ he recounted.
Suchitra was rescued by her neighbours and she was taken to a local healthcare centre where she succumbed to her injuries. “Post mortem report of the victim said she received injuries on her head and chest which turned out to be fatal,’’ said a police officer. Bisakha Sarkar, one of Suchitra’s neighbours, said the incident was beyond imagination. “We want to see all the culprits behind the bars and exemplary punishment for them,’’ she said.