Teacher's house and car attacked over subscription

Sarkar's car that was damaged. Picture by Mithun Roy

TT, Balurghat, Nov. 1: A group of youths who had demanded Rs 5,000 as Kali Puja subscription from a school teacher allegedly hurled bricks at his house at College Para and damaged his car last night as he had refused to pay the amount.

Sakin Sarkar, 40, who has been teaching English in Lalit Mohan Adarsha High (HS) School here since 2006, alleged that the youths who were from College Square Club threatened him and his family.

This morning, the teacher lodged a complaint with Balurghat police against the club.

Club president Subhankar Roy, 28 and secretary, Arabinda Saha, 27, have been detained, the police said.

"Around 3.30am, three-four intoxicated youths from College Square Club came here in two motorcycles. They started throwing bricks targeting the window panes of our house. Later, they ransacked my car and broke it's windscreen. The youths also hurled abuses at us. They were here for about 20 minutes and fled after I raised the alarm," Sarkar alleged. 'My wife and three-year-old son were scared."

He added that some members of the club had threatened him last week.

"Around 20 youths from College Square Club came to my house on October 27 morning to collect Kali Puja subscription. They demanded Rs 5,000, which was not possible for me to pay. I told them to take Rs 500. They refused to take it and threatened me with dire consequences. Last year, I had paid Rs 200 for their puja," said the teacher.

"The youths told me to pay Rs 5,000. They said if I did not pay, my family would be forced to leave the area. Some of the youths also hurled abuses at us," he added.

Sarkar has been staying in his single-storeyed house at College Para for around five years.

Asked about the incident, a member of College Square Club who did not want to be named said it was a "tradition" to ask local people for Kali Puja subscription.

He alleged that Sarkar not only refused to pay but also misbehaved with the club members which led to an argument.

The inspector in charge of Balurghat police station, Sanjay Ghosh, said: "An investigation has started. We have detained two youths. If anybody is found guilty, he would be punished."

Sources said most members of the club were Trinamul supporters.

Asked about the incident, Subhas Chaki, the Balurghat town Trinamul president, said: "No resident has been compelled to pay subscription in the name of any religious festival."