The local residents of Rabindranagar in Chinsurah today closed down the local market and blocked the GT road as a mark of protest against the alleged police excesses on them while conducting raids in the area to nab some notorious culprits who had taken shelter in the Rabindranagar locality.

The police have arrested 12 persons who were forcibly closing down shops, market places and disrupted the traffic flow by putting up road blockage on the GT road and its adjoining connecting roads also. Residents of Rabindranagar said that on Friday evening a marriage ceremony was going on in the locality.

A large police contingent, without any provocation from their side, indiscriminately started thrashing everyone who came on their way, they said. “The police opened fire and acted no better than hooligans. We strongly protest against such brutal acts of police on innocent local residents,” a resident said. This morning the residents of Rabindranagar in Chinsurah brought out a huge protest rally condemning the police excesses and closed down shops and market places.

They burnt tyres on the roads disrupting the normal traffic movement on the GT road and its adjoining connecting roads. The CP of Chandannagar commissonerate, Mr. Humayun Kabir, said: “We received information that a gang of miscreants and culprits will be present at a birthday party of one of their gang members at Rabindranagar in Chinsurah. Moreover, some more criminals from Kalyani and Ranaghat were supposed to join the party with arms and ammunitions.

After verifying the received information and finding it authentic we proceeded to conduct a raid and nab the culprits on Friday night but under the cover of darkness local miscreants obstructed our vehicle and opened fire at us from the road side.” The police in retaliation fired plastic bullets, while the miscreants fled in the darkness, he said.

This morning when the police personnel tried to lift the road block, they were attacked with stones thrown by the gathered mob. However, the situation was soon brought under control and normal traffic was restored, shops and market places were also open. So far, 12 persons have been arrested for forcibly closing down market places, blocking roads and preventing police from restoring peace and order in the area.

“I ask and assure the local residents of Rabindranagar not to panic. The police are your friend trying to restore peace and order in the area by getting rid of the anti-social elements, who have their hid outs in the area and are responsible for deadly criminal activities. Some people for their own interests are trying to instigate and provoke the residents of Rabindranagar against police. The locals should not fall into the trap of such mischievous elements,” Mr Kabir said.