Police take statements of cafe owner

Kolkata: Chairperson of State Commission of Women, Leena Ganguly, said the owner of the Jodhpur Park café — Swaralipi Chatterjee — who has alleged that organizers of a local festival tried to extort money from her for the event and even stalked and threatened her when she refused — can take police help if she thinks it’s “necessary”. Police on Saturday came to the cafe to take the CCTV footages and Chatterjee’s statements.Ganguly, who was in Siliguri on Saturday, said she was in constant touch with her. Ganguly’s comments come a day after Chatterjee said she was “uneasy” after the accused were bailed out and some unidentified bikers were moving around her café.“Five persons have been arrested. I have spoken to her even on Saturday morning. I had contacted the police immediately after the incident and a case had been initiated. The festival has been called off. Besides the commission, the media and police are aware of the incident. But if she wants, she can appeal to police (for her protection),” said Ganguly.“I feel a lot safer now,” Chatterjee said.