Bombs explode near house of Howrah’s former mayor

Howrah: Miscreants hurled bombs one after another outside the residence of Howrah’s former and last mayor and senior BJP neta Rathin Chakraborty after he protested against the illegal filling and promotion of a very old pond near his home at Howrah’s Shibpur. The incident occurred around 11 pm on Saturday. Shibpur police have detained three as suspects and are questioning them. Speaking to TOI on Sunday, Rathin Chakraborty said, “My entire family and I are terrified even though there is tight police security outside my house. We are still mentally shaken.”

He added, “The pond, known as Badam Pukur, is in the Madhabghosh Lane area of Ward No. 26 in Shibpur under the Howrah Municipal Corporation. It is very old, and when I was mayor I had it desilted twice. Local residents also use this pond regularly. Yesterday (Saturday) afternoon, a few BJP workers called to inform me that someone was trying to dump garbage into the pond to fill it up. They alleged that the illegal filling is being carried out by associates of Shyamal Mitra—former Trinamool councillor of Ward 26 and a former member of the mayor-in-council—who has been accused of various criminal activities in the area. They also said that when they protested the filling, Shyamal Mitra’s men threatened them by showing firearms, which is why they sought my intervention. At that time, I was at my chamber in Kolkata. After returning home at night, I went to inspect the spot and saw that the dumping work was continuing even under the streetlights. Local residents were with me. After I warned them that strict action would be taken against them, the miscreants and those dumping the waste fled. Then, around 11 pm, four high-intensity bombs were thrown in quick succession outside my home on Subal Kole Lane. Bomb marks are visible on the wall of the house. After locals and I came out the attackers ran away, so it was not possible to identify them. I informed the police. The police are investigating and have arranged appropriate security for me. Still, this brazen act has left not only me but also my neighbors in fear.”

A senior officer of Howrah City Police said, “Shyamal Mitra and his associates are absconding. However, after conducting searches at various locations, three suspected criminals have been detained and are being interrogated. Security arrangements have been put in place near the pond and outside the former mayor’s house.”