At least 14 individuals have been apprehended for assaulting police officers amid a disagreement related to road construction in Suri, situated in West Bengal’s Birbhum district. The altercation unfolded late Wednesday night during the construction of a road in Kankuria village in Suri. Authorities revealed that a preexisting land dispute in the area had sparked tensions over the road construction. The situation escalated into a confrontation when the road construction company deployed a JCB, leading to a clash between villagers and the company.
Following the confrontation, a group of villagers reportedly began pelting bricks and stones at the police, resulting in significant damage to police vehicles and injuries to several officers. The Inspector in Charge (IC) of Suri police station, Shailenda Upadhyay, sustained severe injuries during the incident and was promptly evacuated to Suri Sadar Hospital for medical attention. Subsequently, a substantial police contingent and Central forces were dispatched to the scene to restore order, with two Central force companies arriving to manage the situation.
A senior police official from Birbhum district confirmed the arrest of 14 individuals in connection with the assault on police personnel. Notably, some of the arrested individuals include women. Multiple police officers who were injured in the attack are currently receiving treatment at the hospital. The official emphasized that stringent measures will be taken against those responsible for orchestrating the assault on law enforcement officers. In response to criticisms of the state police’s handling of violence incidents, Central force personnel were promptly deployed in this instance to address the situation and apprehend the perpetrators.
