Cop kills Amdanga brothers over land row

AMDANGA (NORTH

24 PARGANAS

): Two brothers in their mid-30s died and three others were injured after a

constable

from the

Bidhannagar

commissionerate fired at them around 11.30pm on Friday.

Santosh Patra, a special security guard of the ADCP, surrendered at the commissionerate office on Saturday afternoon. His service revolver, from which he reportedly fired 4-5 rounds, was seized.

“He will be produced in a

Barasat

court on Sunday. We suspect a longtime rivalry between two neighbouring families over a land dispute and subsequent alleged molestation led to the murders. The accused will be interrogated after being remanded in police custody,” a senior district officer said.

Sources said the shooting took place while five youths, including brothers Sumanta and Arup Mondal, were chatting at the temple courtyard at Taraberia’s Panchanantala after dinner.

“Patra was standing at a distance in the dark. He rushed to the youths and threatened the brothers with dire consequences if they did not leave the spot. Following a brawl, Patra whipped out his revolver and fired several rounds at the duo. The three others were also injured while trying to run for cover. Soon after, Patra fled,” a trader said.

On hearing shots, residents rushed to the spot to find the brothers lying in a pool of blood. They were rushed to Barasat district hospital with chest and abdomen injuries. Arup was declared brought dead while Sumanta died immediately after being admitted.

Sources said Patra and his family were engaged in a feud with the Mondals over a land dispute and other issues. “Both families claimed a farmland at Tentulia. The brothers also allegedly passed lewd comments at Patra’s wife while the Mondals would say Patra made obscene gestures at their wives. A few days ago, the brothers had thrashed Patra after their wives were allegedly molested. Neighbours resolved the issue but we never imagined the constable would kill the brothers for revenge,” a woman said.

Barrackpore

BJP MP Arjun Singh, who visited the spot on Saturday morning and spoke to the bereaved families, claimed the victims were BJP supporters. “The brothers were active party supporters. We will pay each of the two families Rs 5 lakh and the injured will get Rs 2 lakh. The law-and-order situation in

West Bengal

has worsened. The shooting apparently proves this. I have demanded an immediate inquiry and exemplary punishment for the killer,” Singh told TOI.

Barasat SP Abhijit Banerjee, however, said: “Though the motive behind the murders could not be ascertained, Patra claimed during interrogation that his wife had been sexually assaulted by the victims.”


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