Constable shot at

TT, Siliguri, Oct. 27: A police constable, tasked to guard the inspector-general of north Bengal, allegedly shot at one of his colleagues last night following an argument over Diwali leave.

The shooting happened on a campus in Pintail Village where several senior police officers have residential bungalows in one portion. Another part is designed as barracks for their guards. Inspector-general N. Ramesh Babu also has his bungalow there.

At 11.45pm when the argument took place, constables Bipin Lama and Sujit Burman were off duty.

"Both stayed in the same room in Pintail Village. As their duties ended and the duo reached the accommodation, they had an altercation. Apparently, one of them wanted leave during Diwali and told the other to continue his duty. This led to a disagreement. Lama was carrying his service firearm and fired a round at Burman," a police source said.

Lama was today remanded in three days' police custody.

-OVERMATTER-

"Charges under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC and the Arms Act have been brought against him. It has been found during investigation that they had an altercation over leave," Sudip Roy Basunia, the assistant public prosecutor, said.

"Doctors conducted a surgery on Burman at a private hospital. He is in the Intensive Care Unit in a serious condition," a police officer said.