Mob fury after auto driver slaps woman

KOLKATA: Enraged locals thrashed an autorickshaw driver black and blue after he slapped a 35-year-old woman near Manicktala on Wednesday evening. Puja Manhot, who was seated in Suman Dey's auto, was arguing with a cyclist who had driven recklessly close to her when Suman lost his cool, called Puja pagli and slapped her so hard that blood spurted from her lips.
Interestingly, none of the other passengers on board the auto protested while Puja was being assaulted.
Police said Puja, a resident of Salt Lake, had gone to Burrabazar and was on her way back home when the incident took place. This assault comes days after a couple was thrashed by a bus conductor after they protested against rash driving.
Puja boarded the autorickshaw from Girish Park Metro station around 5.45 pm and was seated on the rear seat's left side. Fifteen minutes later, when the auto was near Manicktala Crossing, a cyclist came very close, missing Puja by inches.
A scared Puja shouted back at the cyclist. Soon, a verbal duel started between the two. Visibly irritated, Suman parked his auto on the roadside and got enraged at Puja as the altercation continued.
Suman abused Puja, calling her pagli (a mad woman). He continued to swear at Puja and suddenly slapped her hard. Puja was too stunned to react. The blow made a cut on her chin and lower lip.
All this while, other passengers in the auto remained mute spectators. Pedestrians had seen what had happened and stepped in. Passersby shouted at Suman Dey, asking him to stop assaulting the woman and apologize. As things took a serious turn, the cyclist fled from the spot.
Seeing the crowd gaining strength around him, Suman Dey deserted the auto and fled towards a police kiosk on the other side of APC Road. Suman entered the kiosk and took shelter there. This further enraged the mob.
Locals dragged Suman out of the kiosk and began thrashing him. They also ransacked the police kiosk and smashed the glass-panes. A badly beaten-up Dey was finally handed over to Amherst Street police and was arrested. Puja received treatment at Medical College Hospital.