Mob attacks cops in Howrah

KOLKATA: Two police personnel were injured as a mob hurled bricks and bottles and attacked a police outpost, besides vandalising two security force vehicles after law-keepers tried to enforce the lockdown in West Bengal’s Howrah district on Tuesday.
A police officer said the violence broke out when the police team stopped some youths wandering on Belilius Road in Tikiapara area amidst the ongoing lockdown.
However, another source said the police came under attack after trying to remove a large gathering in the fruit market, where social distancing was not being maintained.
When the police personnel charged at some youths and women with raised batons and ordered them to go home, an argument started, and the heated exchanges soon led to a scuffle.
A large mob then poured on to the streets, chased the policemen, threw bottles and bricks and vandalised two police jeeps.
They also threw bricks at the police outpost, sending police personnel scurrying for cover.
As the tension spread, police reinforcements were rushed in, and the Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed in the area.
However, a video grab reportedly showed the mob shoving, chasing and surrounding RAF personnel, who had to run for their safety.
State Forest Minister Rajiv Banerjee said strict action would be taken in the incident, which he described as “highly condemnable”. (IANS)