Kolkata: Violence erupts in Behala after student dies in truck mishap, mob torches police vehicle
Kolkata: Police used tear gas to disperse a mob which turned violent following the death of a school kid who was hit by a truck in front of Barisha High School in Behala area of Kolkata on Friday morning.
The seven-year-old boy, identified as Souranil Sarkar, who was on his way to school, along with his father, was run over and killed by the speeding truck.
Following the incident, locals cited agitation and blocked the busy Diamond Harbour Road in Behala Chowrasata area.
The deceased child's father Saroj Kumar Sarkar was critically wounded and admitted to SSKM Hospital.
The accident happened around 0630 hours.
When the police came to the accident spot in front of Barisha High School, the irate mob attacked them by hurling stones and some personnel received wounds.
The agitating guardians and local people, while protesting the runover by the mud-laden truck, also pelted stones at the police, who resorted to lathi charges.
When the club-wielding action failed, police fired tear gas cells to disperse the attacking mob, which also set on fire a police van and a motorcycle. Four private buses were also ransacked, reports UNI.
The Rapid Action Force was also deployed to quell the violent people.
City police commissioner Vineet Goyal rushed to the accident site, along with senior policemen, and talked to the agitating people.
He also assured that the city police would ensure safety from traffic violations in the area in future.
He said the truck was seized and the driver was arrested.
Police removed the blockade after about three hours of traffic disruption on the busy Diamond Harbour Road.