JAGATSINGHPUR: Tension gripped Srichandanpur village under Kujang police limits after a clash during a feast in the village on Friday night that left 12 people injured, including a woman stabbed in the abdomen. Police have registered two separate cases and arrested 11 persons in connection with the incident.
The clash took place during the feast being held as part of Ganesh Puja and Vishwakarma Puja celebrations, when women from the village were sitting on the road and having their meals. A group of young men from the village repeatedly rode motorcycles through the stretch where the women were eating, police said.
When some villagers objected to their conduct, the young men and several others allegedly formed a group and attacked them with sticks, iron rods, cutters and knives. Several persons sustained injuries to their heads, hands, chests, legs and backs during the assault.
During the incident, one Babuli Das, armed with a knife, allegedly stabbed the woman, causing severe bleeding. Police rushed her to a hospital and she is in a critical condition.
According to the complainant, Bimbadhar Mallick, the men who attacked them also hurled caste-related derogatory remarks and threatened to drive members of the Dalit community out of the village. The situation was brought under control after a PCR team reached the spot following a distress call.
Police registered a case under various sections of the BNS and provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and launched an investigation.
In a counter-complaint, Nabin Das of Srichandanpur alleged that a man identified as Babu Mallick approached him on a motorcycle on Friday night and pushed him following a dispute. Nabin said he approached ward member Bipin Mallick and informed him about the incident.
According to his complaint, several persons later came to his house and allegedly assaulted him, his relatives and neighbours with the intention of causing serious harm. Several persons sustained injuries in the attack, he alleged.
Nabin further alleged that the accused sexually harassed his wife, outraged her modesty and disrobed her during the incident. Kujang police have registered a second case in this connection.
Kujang IIC Shibasis Das said accused persons were arrested from both sides and forwarded to court. “Both cases are being investigated and further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.”
