North 24 Parganas, 22 August (H.S.): Tension prevailed in Nazat village under the Sandeshkhali-I block of North 24 Parganas district on Saturday after several rounds of firing were allegedly directed at the residence of local BJP leader Jumman Sheikh.

According to local residents, a group of miscreants allegedly attacked Sheikh’s house in the morning while he and his family members were asleep. The attackers reportedly approached the house from an adjacent field, surrounded the residence and opened indiscriminate fire.

A local resident said that after hearing the sound of gunfire, people woke up and rushed to the area, following which the alleged attackers fled the spot.

Police from Nazat Police Station reached the spot soon after receiving the information and initiated an investigation. Several empty bullet shells were reportedly recovered from different parts of the house, while bullet marks were also found on the walls.

A police officer said the incident was being investigated seriously. Police patrolling has been intensified in the area to maintain law and order and identify those involved in the firing.

Meanwhile, Jumman Sheikh alleged that close associates of suspended Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh were behind the attack. The allegation has not been independently verified.

Sheikh appealed to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to ensure the safety of his family and direct the police to arrest those responsible at the earliest.

Jumman’s brother, Jahangir Sheikh, who was present at the house during the incident, said he was asleep when the firing began. He claimed that after being awakened by the sound of gunshots, he looked outside and saw a group of people surrounding the house and allegedly firing indiscriminately.

Police are investigating the motive behind the incident and are making efforts to identify and apprehend the persons involved.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey