Kolkata: A 42-year-old hawker Shambhu Sau was shot dead by the goons near his residence at Bansbagan near Titagarh in North 24 Parganas early on Friday after he became a witness of a crime. Only a few days ago Sau, an ice-cream seller who used to take regular morning walk found some local criminals committing crime. The victim’s family members alleged that the goons started threatening him with dire consequences since he saw them stealing some valuables from a local shop in Bansbagan area which he protested.
Police are looking for the culprits, no one has been arrested in this connection yet. “The local criminals could be involved in the murder and the assailants may have fled the spot soon after the murder. The raids are on to nab them,” a senior police official said.
Police said, the incident took place around 5.30 am when three miscreants came to Sau’s residence and called him. They took him away at a short distance from his house and an altercation broke out between Sau and the goons. During altercation one of the miscreants took out a gun and fired two rounds at him from a point blank range and they fled the spot soon. Sau was struck by bullets on his head and chest. On hearing the gunshots locals rushed to the spot and found Sau lying in a pool of blood. He was taken to Barrackpore BN Bose Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
Afterbeing informed a police team came to the spot to investigate the murder. The local residents launched an agitation in front of the police men to protest against the murder alleging inaction of the police to stop the criminal activities in the locality.
“In his regular morning walk my uncle saw several crimes in our locality. He told us that he had also found local goons carrying arms returning home after committing crime. Only a few days ago when he found the goons stealing valuables from a shop, he strongly protested that’s why he was killed by them,” said Rabi Sau, the nephew of the victim. The family members also blamed the inaction of the police following the murder of Sau.
“Police knew well that the crimes have been regular at the Bansbagan area but they did not take any action to arrest the criminals. As my husband identified the miscreants the goons murdered him,” said Maya Sau, the wife of the victim. He was the only sole bread earner of our family and we have two daughters, I don’t know how I will earn our livelihood, Maya also added while breaking down.
The police however have started an investigation in this connection. “The motive behind the murder could not be ascertained. After a preliminary investigation it is suspected that an old rivalry led to the murder and the local miscreants could be involved. The raids are on and the surrounding police stations have also been alerted in this connection,” said a senior police offier.
Meanwhile, in another incident a 45-year-old milk trader Dewsoran Roy was shot at by his brother Mukesh Roy at their residence at Ichhapur Chaigada near Noapara in North 24 Parganas on Thursday morning after an altercation broke out between two brothers for a family feud. Dewsoran was admitted to the RG Kar hospital with severe bullet injuries. Mukesh, the accused is still absconding. Police are looking for him.
Police said, they used to engage in brawl over a dispute in property. Around 10.30 am on Wednesday during an altercation Mukesh took out a gun and fired two rounds at his elder brother and fled the spot. Dewshoran was struck by bullets on his shoulder and right hand.
