The festive spirit of Kali Puja was marred by a shocking incident in the Chandpara area under Gaighata police station, North 24 Parganas, on Tuesday night, when a young woman and her friend were allegedly harassed and assaulted while out for pandal hopping. An assistant professor of a medical college, who tried to intervene and protect his cousin, was also brutally attacked by the accused youths.
According to police and local sources, the incident occurred when the cousin of Suman Saha, assistant professor at a Medical College and Hospital, along with a friend, had stepped out to visit nearby pandals. A group of local youths allegedly began passing obscene remarks at them. Although the women initially tried to ignore the harassment, the situation soon escalated and the men reportedly resorted to physical assault.
Hearing of the attack, Saha rushed to the spot. However, when he confronted the accused, the group allegedly surrounded him, beat him up and even threw him onto the road. The assault left him injured before locals came to his aid.
Police personnel from Gaighata police station arrived shortly after receiving the complaint, but by then, the accused had fled the scene. A written complaint was later lodged and the police have initiated an investigation.
A senior police official said, “We have started a probe based on the complaint. Efforts are underway to identify and arrest the accused.”
Residents of the Chandpara area expressed outrage over the incident, alleging poor security arrangements during the festive season. One local resident said, “That area has always been unsafe for women, especially at night. Even during Puja, there were hardly any police patrols.”
The incident has sparked widespread anger in the local community. Locals questioned how safe ordinary citizens are if even a government doctor and college professor can be attacked in public.
Another local resident said, “If such incidents can happen on the night of the festival, it’s a matter of deep concern for everyone’s safety.” Police have assured that the accused will be apprehended soon and brought to justice.
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