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Picnickers run riot after parking spat Statesman News Service
ASANSOL, Jan. 16. — A dispute over parking space at a popular picnic spot in Hirapur led to spiralling violence at Chinakuri in Kulti since yesterday. Houses were ransacked, vehicles torched and cattle charred to death. Even women could not escape the mob fury and many of them were allegedly molested
Following unabated violence, police resorted to lathicharge this morning and detained 70 villagers. The area continues to remain tense and many are absconding fearing arrest.
Trouble started on Friday when revellers assembled at a picnic spot in Manikeswar temple area on the banks of the Damodar.
An altercation broke out when villagers from Junut opposed parking of vehicles by residents from Chinakuri mine area. Soon picnickers from adjacent Binodbandh, Mallikpara, Palashdanga and Saluni villages joined the altercation.
On Friday evening a section of Junut locals detained Dharmendra Nunia, a youth from Chinakuri. Chinakuri residents in retaliation detained four youths from Junut and adjacent villages.
The police said a 500-strong mob armed with swords and rods stormed the Chinakuri mine quarters. About 50 houses were looted and 10 set ablaze. Two motorcycles and two vehicles were set on fire.
The locals alleged even the elderly villagers and the women could not escape the mob fury. The mob also ransacked the CPI-M local committee office.
Rakhi Devi (40) complained: “The mob didn’t spare anybody. We stood helpless, as the men had fled the area fearing attack.” A jewellery shop was also looted. The violence continued for more than two hours allegedly due to late arrival of police.
After a fresh bout of violence today a police team, led by the DSP (SR), Mr Niladri Sekhar Chakraborty, made a combing operation in the area. The police resorted to lathicharge and detained 70 villagers. Eighteen people have been arrested for fomenting trouble in the area.
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