West Bengal: Villagers in North 24 Parganas block road, clash with police for allegedly not getting relief amid COVID-19 lockdown
Kolkata/IBNS: Villagers of Baduria in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas, who had blocked a road demanding relief amid ongoing coronavirus lockdown, clashed with the police on Wednesday afternoon, leaving at least four policemen injured, reports said.
Claiming that they were not getting relief for last few days and demanding an immediate arrangement for food, a section of locals from Taragunia area under Baduria Police Station limits blocked Kholapota-Baduria road and started agitation.
When police arrived at the location and cops tried to forcibly lift the blockade, villagers reportedly started pelting stones at policemen and engaged in a clash with the cops.
At least four policemen, including the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Baduria PS, were injured during the clash.
Police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control.
Local villagers alleged that male policemen assaulted women who were staging protest there.
Later, a heavy police force along with the Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were deployed to the spot to bring the situation under control.
A senior official of North 24 Parganas district police said situation is currently under control and police and RAF personnel are carrying out search operation in the area to nab the attackers.
West Bengal Food Supplies Minister Jyotipriyo Mullick claimed that there was no report of any problem with food and relief distribution from Baduria area.
"Inadequate food and relief distribution was not the issue behind Baduria incident as food supplies are normal across the state," Jyotipriyo Mullick said.
"Police are probing the matter and necessary legal actions will be taken," Mullick added.
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