Youth killed after molest protest

Arjun Das

TT, Malda, Nov. 28: A 22-year-old was hacked to death in front of his house last night after he tried to resist a group of youths who tried to molest his sister-in-law at a wedding.

Arjun Das, who used to sell snacks at Malda railway station, was attacked at Kuldip Misra Colony in ward 27 of Englishbazar municipality around 8.30pm yesterday.

The deceased's father Baidyanath Das lodged an FIR with Englishbazar police last night naming Jhoton Chowdhury, Sikandar Chowdhury, Mukundar Chowdhury, Bharat Mondol and Chhotu Das.

Police said all the accused have fled the area.

This morning, local people ransacked the houses of two of the accused and set them on fire. Sources said their families have fled the area and no one was injured in the blaze.

On Friday evening, Arjun had gone to attend his niece's wedding in Court Station area of Old Malda.

"A band had been playing in front of the venue and some guests were dancing. What we have learnt is that the accused youths arrived there in an intoxicated state and began behaving in a lewd manner. Some of them pulled Arjun's sister-in-law by her hand and tore a portion of her saree. Arjun protested and an argument followed," an investigator said.

Around 8.30pm on Sunday, when Arjun and his relatives were on their way to the wedding reception, he was suddenly attacked.

"Five-six men, all carrying choppers, attacked him and fled. Arjun was hacked on the neck. His relatives took him to the Malda Medical College and Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. Local people ransacked and torched the houses of Mukundar and Sikandar early this morning," the investigator said.

Arjun's father said his son had tried to stop the youths from molesting women. "After the incident on Friday, the matter had ended. I am shocked at the way my son was murdered. I have filed an FIR against the killers and I want them to be punished," said the mason.

Malda police chief Arnab Ghosh said they were looking for the accused. "A police picket has been set up in the area."