Ratan Sheikh, an accused individual linked to the recent shooting of a police constable, was killed in a police encounter in Bolpur, Birbhum, on Sunday. The incident occurred in the Shantiniketan area, just two days after a police team was fired upon in Likabazar.
According to police reports, authorities had gone to Likabazar on Friday evening to apprehend Sheikh in connection with a case. During the operation, Sheikh allegedly opened fire, wounding constable Biswajit Das in the left leg. The injured officer received initial treatment at Bolpur Sub-Divisional Hospital before being transferred to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, and later to a medical facility in Kolkata for further care.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who also holds the state’s Home portfolio, visited the injured constable on Saturday. Addressing the incident, Adhikari defended the police response, stating that officers carry firearms to use them when necessary rather than keeping them in their pockets. He asserted that police possess the right to defend themselves when under attack and have been granted a free hand to act against criminals, including murderers and gangsters, in accordance with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The Chief Minister also raised concerns regarding Sheikh's legal history, questioning how he managed to secure bail in 36 cases simultaneously during the court’s Puja vacation. He stated that the circumstances surrounding these bail orders and the role of the government lawyer would be subject to scrutiny.
Key facts
- Ratan Sheikh was killed on Sunday in Shantiniketan, Birbhum district.
- Constable Biswajit Das was shot in the leg during a police operation on Friday.
- This incident is reported as the fifth police encounter in West Bengal over the last five months.
- Sheikh allegedly had over 30 criminal cases registered against him, including charges of illegal firearm possession and drug trafficking.
- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has ordered an examination into how the accused obtained bail in 36 cases.
Why it matters
The incident has drawn attention to the state's recent record of police encounters and the government's stance on law enforcement protocols. Chief Minister Adhikari reiterated that all police actions must comply with the law, while maintaining that officers will not be restricted from responding to threats to their lives.
Background
Since the current government assumed power, five police encounters have been reported across West Bengal, including incidents in Uttar Dinajpur, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, and Murshidabad involving various criminal suspects.
Source: News18, Indian Express
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