Kolkata: A mob attacked several policemen who were enforcing the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus at Tikiapara in Howrah district, a red zone, on Tuesday, said an official.
The incident took place in the evening when a police patrol reached Tikiapara after receiving inputs that a large number of people were jostling in a local market, violating the lockdown and social distancing norms.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had recently expressed concern over the number of COVID-19 cases in the district. She had asked the district administration to enforce the lockdown strictly and had expressed her wish to convert it to the ‘Green Zone’ category at the earliest.
"As soon as the police asked them to return home, a mob pelted them with stones and beat them up. Two police vehicles were also damaged in the incident," a police official said. The injured police personnel were taken to a local hospital.
Later, a large police contingent, including RAF personnel, reached the spot to control the situation.
Howrah Police Commissioner Kunal Aggarwal said those who instigated the violence have been identified and the police are in the process of taking strict action against them.”
“I would like to request everyone to follow government orders because it is for their safety. We have to fight this battle together and we are hopeful that people will cooperate with us,” he added.
State Forest Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Rajib Banerjee condemned the attack on the police and assured that all steps will be taken to ensure lockdown is imposed in the district.
Condemning the incident, the West Bengal unit of the BJP in a tweet accused Mamata Banerjee of "appeasement politics", saying "her loyal voters are now attacking policemen even while Bengal faces a tough fight against the COVID-19 pandemic”.
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