Illegal water supply pipes, arms found at land officer’s house in Bengal; locals demand arrest

Paschim Medinipur (West Bengal), June 18 (IANS) Residents of Bural village in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district launched protests against land officer of Sabang area, Tapan Hazra. Locals demanded his arrest after they allegedly found tonnes of water pipes, alongside bombs and guns, at his residence. Moreover, they alleged that Hazra used to humiliate and abuse women in the locality.

Speaking to IANS, a local, Haripad said: “We have found water supply pipes, tarpaulins, clothing, bombs and guns at the residence of Tapan Hazra. That is why we have appealed to the administration for justice. Such a criminal cannot live here.”

“He (Hazra) used to scare us day and night using his pistol,” Haripad alleged.

The local claimed that the police have not yet recovered the weapons despite being shown the arms by them. “We want such a person to be arrested and given appropriate punishment,” he added.

Drawing a similarity with allegations of widespread sexual harassment against local Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan in Sandeshkhali, Rahman Mir said: “Such instances of hooliganism are across the state.”

“Not only this water pipe-related incident, he (Hazra) used to party with women in ward 12 of our area. Women were forced to serve liquor and if they didn’t, he abused them. We have lodged several complaints against him,” he told IANS.

He further alleged: “Fake cases have been registered against us, moreover, we have been destroyed financially. I personally have lost Rs. 2 lakh because of him.”

“Arms and ammunition have been recovered and there were goods amounting to tonnes at Hazra’s residence, much out of which has been supplied by him overnight. When the BJP workers in the region realised that goods were being supplied, they stayed awake the whole night and have so far recovered around 2 tonnes of water supply pipes,” he added.

The local alleged that for seven years, pipes were being stocked up and supplied.

Appealing for justice for the residents of the village, Mir, too, urged for the arrest of Tapan Hazra, so that “peace returns to the area”.

“Once he is arrested and interrogated, evidence as well as his associates will be revealed,” he added.

—IANS

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