Tension flared in Malda’s Harishchandrapur on Sunday when a kangaroo court called by locals turned violent, leaving five police personnel injured. The case began after a woman alleged harassment by a villager while grazing cattle. Her relatives accused the man of following her home and misbehaving, after which a people’s court was organised to decide on punishment.
Police rushed to the village to rescue the accused, but were met with resistance. A mob allegedly pelted stones and thrashed officers with bamboo sticks, damaging police vehicles in the process. Two senior officials were among those hurt.
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According to villagers, Trinamool Congress leader Ziaul Haque was present during the incident and urged locals to prevent police from taking away the accused. However, district TMC chief Abdur Rahim Bakshi distanced the party from the violence, promising that both the harasser and the attackers would face strict legal action.
Authorities confirmed that five people have been arrested for the assault on police, while the accused harasser has also been taken into custody.
