Cops arrest 18, villagers claim high-handedness

SNS, ALIPURDUAR, 22 APRIL: Police have finally arrested 18 persons in connection with the attack on them and the arson that Pradhan Para village in the Salkumar-1 gram panchayat witnessed on Sunday evening.

A group of vilagers attadced the police and torched four police vehicles as the administration tried to bury a person who died at the hospital meant for Covid -19 patients in Alipurduar.

Fifteen of the 18 arrested persons have been sent in police custody, it is learnt.

" We have arrested 18 persons in connection with the incident where police were attacked and police vehicles were set on fire. We will arrest all others who were involved in the case."

We are taking steps against all as per the Maintenance of Public Order Act,"Alipurduar Superintendent of Police Amitava Maity said.

On the other hand, villagers alleged that the police raided the village at midnight and beat up people who were not involved in the incident in any way.

"Police entered my house after breaking the door and started beating us.'There was no policewoman, but I was also beaten up. They took away my husband. This happened at 2 am in the morning today," said a local.