Police attacked in bid to stop child marriage

The arrested include Sanjoy Mandal, a booth committee president of the Trinamul Congress, who allegedly instigated the villagers to assault the cops

Representational file image

Subhasish Chaudhuri   |   TT  |  Calcutta   |   23.11.22  : A sub-inspector of police, along with two civic volunteers, was allegedly thrashed with bricks by family members of a minor couple when they went to stop their wedding in the Gopalpur-Sardarpara area of Canning in South 24-Parganas on Monday night.

SI Sukrankar Saha and two civic volunteers were rescued with the support of local residents and admitted to the Canning subdivisional hospital.

Police have arrested two persons. The arrested include Sanjoy Mandal, a booth committee president of the Trinamul Congress, who allegedly instigated the villagers to assault the cops.

Police sources got information about child marriage and a team of Canning police, along with members of a social organization, rushed to Sardarpara.

“We came to know that one Subrata Sardar had arranged the marriage of his 17-year-old son with a minor girl from Nikarighata village. We also learnt that to avoid trouble Sardar was using his political clout,” a police officer said.

“But soon, we reached the venue and asked them to stop the marriage. This angered the family members of the bride and groom, who immediately attacked us,” the officer said.

Local sources said family members of the couple instigated the local residents and attacked the police team with bricks and sticks. Prior to that they also helped the couple flee from the spot.

“The goons had intended to kill us as they began thrashing us on the head with bricks. We tried to flee but they vandalised our vehicle. We were rescued by our colleagues,” one of the injured cops said.