West Bengal: SDPO fires bullets aiming villagers, 2 shot

According to reports, SDPO of Egra, Manoranjan Ghosh, forcefully stopped a night-long puja, which was being conducted beside his bungalow, on Tuesday midnight.

When few villagers  protested over the issue, in front of SDPO's bungalow in the morning, Manoranjan Ghosh allegedly fired as many as five round of bullets, aiming at the protesters. At least two villagers were shot and are being treated in Egra Sub-Divisional Hospital.

Protesting villagers alleged that the SDPO was drunk, when he fired bullets. They  also demanded immediate arrest of Manoranjan Ghosh.

However, ADG (Law and Order) Anuj Sharma has already ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.

East Midnapore SP Alok Rajoria told IBNS, "Few villagers were protesting over a local-puja issue in front of SDPO's bungalow in the morning. They vandalized the compound and broke many windows. Villagers alleged that SDPO fired bullets aiming at them and two are sustaining bullet injuries."

"SDPO Manoranjan Ghosh claimed that he shot bullets for self-defence. We have started probe into the matter to know what exactly happened there and in which situation, bullets were fired," Rajoria added.

Meanwhile, after the incident, locals blocked Egra-Digha road for hours. Later, the blockade was withdrawn.

However, an administrative meeting regarding this incident was held in SDPO's bungalow in the noon.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)