Police volunteers beat biker to death for not wearing helmet
A scooter rider at Madhyamgram in North 24 Paraganas district in Kolkata was allegedly beaten to death by civic police volunteers. Soumen Debnath, a local businessman was riding his two wheeler without wearing a helmet.
He was stopped by the civic local police volunteers who are recruited by the West Bengal police on contractual basis, and asked to pay a hefty fine. When Debnath refused to shell out the money, he and the volunteers entered into a verbal dual which led to a physical scuffle.
Image for representation only.
Debnath was slapped hard, dragged to the ground and kicked. He was then bleeding profusely and was removed to the local hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Inquiries into the incident and events leading to his death are currently underway. Superintendent of Police of North 24 Paraganas C. Sudhakar has confirmed that post mortem report is awaited and 1 person has been arrested in the case which has been registered under Section 302 (murder) of IPC.
Image for representation only.
Following the incident, locals in the area went violent. They chased the police volunteers who had to take refuge on the ledge of a nearby building. They threw stones at the police to vent their ire who had to resort to baton charge to disperse the crowd.
The State Government is actively promoting - Safe Drive Save Life campaign to ensure road safety. The local police are actively enforcing use of helmets for two wheeler riders and to help them in this campaign, they have appointed civic local police volunteers.