One person was killed in police firing at Belur in Howrah district on the early hours of Sunday. The incident took place when locals informed the police about a gang of four criminals terrorising the Votebagan area.
When a police patrolling team reached the spot and confronted the gang, they opened fire on them.
One of the miscreants named Ganga Mahato was killed when the police retaliated. One police personnel was also injured in the attack.
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“He (Ganga Mahato) was a notorious criminal and was in jail for two to three years. When the police reached the spot, not only did his accomplices fire at them, but Mahato, who was wielding a chopper, threatened the police and damaged their vehicle,” Commissioner of Police, Howrah (City), D. P. Singh told
He also said that two gang members were arrested from the area and one was still absconding.
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During the confrontation, one of the miscreants tried to flee with the police vehicle after vandalising it. But the police got hold of him.
“When Mahato tried to attack the police with a chopper, the personnel concerned opened fire in self defence and he died,” said Mr. Singh.
“The Votebagan area has many godowns and factories. Such criminals, some of them drug addicts, engage in extortion from the trucks that come there for loading and unloading of goods,” a senior police official said.
He also said that Mahato was out of the area for several months and had recently returned. “He was perhaps trying to regain his dominance in the area,” the official added.
Locals informed the police about a gang of four criminals terrorising the Votebagan area
The slain miscreant, Ganga Mahato, threatened the police and damaged their vehicle