Water line snapped ‘to extort money’

Kolkata: The Kolkata Police have initiated a criminal investigation into a group of local miscreants who allegedly cut off the essential drinking water supply in the midst of peak summer to a south Kolkata neighbourhood and attempted to extort money from residents following the declaration of the state assembly election results.The civic crisis, which has gripped a locality in the Bantala area under the jurisdiction of Anandapur PS, came to light after a local woman filed a formal written complaint detailing systemic harassment, intimidation and the weaponisation of basic amenities.According to cops, the disruption began on May 4, coinciding with the announcement of the election outcomes. A group of influential local anti-social elements allegedly used illegal means to tamper with the municipal water infrastructure, which is maintained by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).The suspects then reportedly began targeting local families, demanding specific sums of money to restore the vital connection. Residents were allegedly threatened that the water supply would remain indefinitely suspended if the extortion demands were not met.The situation escalated significantly over the weekend. When a group of local women gathered to protest the illegal disconnection and reason with the perpetrators, the miscreants responded with aggression. The attackers reportedly subjected the women to severe verbal abuse and made indecent remarks intended to insult their modesty. When met with further resistance, the suspects issued threats of grievous physical injury, trapping the neighbourhood in a state of constant fear.In addition to cutting off the drinking water, the influential group allegedly forced a halt to essential civic cleaning and sanitation works in the area. Local municipal workers were reportedly intimidated and threatened to ensure that the residents could no longer access basic public services, compounding the health risks in the locality.Acting on the complaint, Anandapur PS registered a formal case. Law enforcement authorities booked multiple suspects under several stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include sections pertaining to extortion and extortionate threats, criminal intimidation, acts intended to insult the modesty of women and offences committed with a common intention.The Kolkata Police confirmed that a comprehensive investigation has been launched under the supervision of the assistant OC of the Anandapur Section.