Sonarpur robbery: 3 including Bangladeshi dacoit held, locals demonstrate, scuffle with police

According to reports, after starting probe into the matter, police on Sunday night booked a Bangladeshi national, Lablu Sardar, from a nearby area and a firearm and at least 24 rounds of cartridges were recovered from his possession.

After interrogating the man, police on Monday early morning arrested a middle-aged woman, Manjila Khan, and an autorickshaw driver, Atiar Rehman Laskar, from Basanti area in the same district.

"We have arrested three persons in connection with the case and they are currently being quizzed. We are expecting to bust the entire robbers' gang very soon," a senior official of South 24 Parganas district police told IBNS.

Earlier on Sunday late evening, at least 7 dacoits robbed a jewellery store, D.S. Debnath Jewellers, at Sonarpur Rail Gate (East) area, metres away from Sonarpur Police Station and Sonarpur railway station.

They opened fire and hurled crude bombs during escape and at least four persons, including the store's owner and a woman, were shot.

Later, proprietor of the jewellery shop, Dipak Debnath, was declared dead in a Kolkata hospital, while remaining three are being treated in city hospitals.

Meanwhile, demanding security at the area and an immediate arrest of all accused in the case, local traders and residents on Monday blocked railway tracks at Sonarpur station and nearby roads for hours.

They also gheraoed Sonarpur Police Station and stage demonstration there.

A heavy police force along with Rapid Action Force (RAF) rushed to the spot and policemen restored to lathicharge to disperse agitators and to bring the situation under control, reports said.

A police official said that police and RAF have been deployed there as situation remains tense at Sonarpur Rail Gate and Sonarpur Market areas.

Police's search operation is still on to nab others involved in the case, an official said.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha, Images: Facebook)