A young man and his uncle were allegedly attacked with an axe on Saturday after they protested against the eve-teasing of schoolgirls outside Mahishmardini Girls' Institution in Kalna, East Burdwan district. The accused, identified as Bapi Roy, is currently absconding. A complaint has been lodged at the Kalna police station.
Police officials said an investigation is underway and efforts are on to trace and arrest the accused. The injured victims, Suraj Saha and his uncle Pintu Saha, are undergoing treatment at Kalna Super Specialty Hospital.
According to local sources, Bapi allegedly frequented the area in front of the girls’ school and often made lewd comments at students before fleeing the spot. School teachers had reportedly raised complaints about his behaviour with local residents. On Saturday, when Bapi again allegedly made indecent remarks at the schoolgirls, Suraj protested and warned him to stay away from the school premises. Bapi left the area initially.
However, a short while later, the accused allegedly returned armed with an axe and attacked Suraj from behind. When Suraj’s uncle, Pintu, rushed in to save him, he too was injured in the attack. Both were rescued by locals and rushed to Kalna Super Specialty Hospital. The accused fled immediately after the incident.
Describing the incident, Suraj said, “Bapi sits in front of the girls’ school every day and harasses the girls. On Saturday, he again made offensive comments. I told him not to come near the school, and he left. After some time, he came back from his house with an axe and attacked me from behind. When my uncle tried to save me, he attacked him too.”
Suraj further said that local residents were angered by the accused’s repeated behaviour. “The teachers often complain to us as we live nearby. That’s why we kept warning him. Had the people of the area caught him today, they would have beaten him up,” he added.
Pintu said, “Suddenly, the young man started hacking at my nephew with an axe. When I tried to protect him, he attacked me as well. Both of us were injured.”
Local youth Shravan Saha, an eyewitness, said, “We were sitting and chatting when suddenly a young man attacked Suraj from behind with an axe. When his uncle intervened, he was also struck. Suraj needed several stitches on his head.”
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