Irate mob clashes head-on with cops after accident

Onda in Bankura turned into a battlefield on Wednesday following a road accident in which three persons including two women sustained critical injuries.

The incident took place near Onda police station. A mob put up a roadblock in the area after the accident. A clash broke out between locals and the policemen when the latter tried to lift the roadblock. The mob also staged a demonstration in front of the senior police officers of the district who reached the spot following the accident. The local people also gheraoed the Deputy Superintendent of Police who tried to convince the protestors to lift the block.

The local residents also attacked the cops and ransacked a police vehicle. The incident triggered tension among locals. A huge contingent of police force was rushed to the spot to pacify the mob. As the situation was going beyond control, the police had resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the mob which further complicated the issue. Rapid Action Force jawans were deployed to bring the situation under control. The mob also gheraoed the local police station, blaming police personnel for the accident.

Local people said that a youth along with two women were riding on a motorcycle. When they were passing near Onda police station area, there was checking going for those who were riding bikes without a helmet. The youth who was riding the bike was wearing helmet but the two women, the pillion riders, were without helmets. It was alleged that a cop was going to stop the bike when the youth took a sudden right turn and the bike came under a vehicle. The local residents alleged that some police personnel often occupy a portion of the road in the name of carrying out checkings.

The local residents rescued the injured and took them to Bankura Medical College and Hospital. A huge contingent rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. The roadblock and gherao of the police station was lifted after the senior police officers assured that they would look into their allegations. A police picket has been set up in the area as tension prevailed in the area.