Police station in West Bengal set on fire over teen’s death

A police station in West Bengal was set on fire by people protesting against the death of a teenager whose body was found in a canal last week, reports NDTV.

The violence took place in Kaliyaganj of Uttar Dinajpur district. People allegedly belonging to the Adivasi and Rajbangshi communities organised a “Thana gherao” programme on Tuesday afternoon protesting against alleged “police inaction” in the case.

The police personnel started a baton charge but could not stop the mob from entering the police station and setting it on fire, said an official.

Earlier in the day, protesters gheraoed the Superintendent of Police’s office at the Uttar Dinajpur district headquarters, Raiganj. The protest in Raiganj was BJP-organised. Police had to fire tear gas shells and lathi charge to restore law and or-der in the town as they faced stone-pelting.

The ruling Trinamool Congress has blamed the BJP for inciting the violence and accused it of instigating anger by claiming that the teenager’s death was case of rape and murder. The state police said the post-mortem noted that the death was “due to the effects of poisonous substances ingested”.