Khargosh, Uchchhe among dozen behind bars after EC's order for peace before West Bengal polls

KOLKATA: In poll-bound Bengal, Khargosh and Uchchhe have found themselves in a new address - behind bars.

The detective department of Kolkata Police, acting under orders from Election Commission to ensure peace ahead of the assembly elections and on the poll day, launched raids on Monday night and Tuesday and picked up 12 potential troublemakers from the city and suburbs.




Among those rounded up are Khargosh, Uchchhe, Mister and Mannu Ustad - names that may sound like characters from Bengali fiction, but inspire fear in the narrow alleys of Kolkata.

The arrests were based on non-bailable warrants issued by courts after police cited their alleged role in unrest during previous elections. "We prepared a list of 'troublemakers' who we think might disrupt peace before or on the election day. Based on that, officers from the anti-rowdy squad of the detective department arrested 12 'troublemakers'," said a senior officer at Lalbazar.

Kartick Sonkar, alias Khargosh (36), one of those held, is from Tagore Castle Street in Pathuriaghata, north Kolkata. "He is a history-sheeter and trouble-monger in the Jorabagan police station area," said Soma Das Mitra, joint commissioner of police (crime). "Uttam Shaw, alias Uchchhe (35), a resident of Bosepukur Prantik Pally, is a history-sheeter from Kasba. Istique Ahmed, alias Mister (44), from M M Barman Street in Jorasanko, was another wanted man."

Police sources said Khargosh (rabbit), who was arrested along with his associate Chapta (Amit Singh), is anything but timid. A prominent operative in north Kolkata's extortion racket, Khargosh's writ ran from Jorabagan to Burrabazar. He recently shifted base to Howrah after surviving a street attack by rivals, who had plotted to hack him to death.
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