A mob attacked several policemen who were enforcing lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus at Tikiapara in Howrah district, a red zone, on Tuesday, an official said.
The incident took place in the evening when a police patrol reached Tikiapara area after receiving inputs that a large number of people were jostling in a local market, violating the lockdown and social distancing norms.
#WATCH: A crowd, which had gathered at a market place in Tikiapara of Howrah today – defying the lockdown, attacked Police personnel & pelted stones at them when they asked the crowd to return to their homes. 2 police personnel injured. #WestBengal (Video source: Amateur video) pic.twitter.com/EAZbm5wWlc
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2020
”As soon as the police asked them to return home, a mob pelted them with stones and beat them up. Two police vehicles were also damaged in the incident,” a police official said.
The injured police personnel were taken to a local hospital.
Later, a large police contingent, including RAF personnel, reached the spot to control the situation.
Trinamool Congress leader of Howrah district and Forest Minister Rajib Banerjee criticised the attack on policemen and said strict action would be taken against the culprits.
In the wake of coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the government has banned any sort of gathering at any religious or non-religious places across the country. Apart from the Centre and state governments, the local authorities are also ensuring that no such assembling takes place anywhere, to combat the spread of the infection.