Kolkata, 19 March (H.S.) : A police officer sustained head injuries, and a patrol vehicle was vandalized in a violent altercation in Sagarpur, West Midnapore, on Tuesday night. The incident occurred when officers from Daspur police station attempted to control a brawl involving intoxicated individuals at a local village festival. To restore order, a large police force, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), was deployed to the scene, and 15 people were arrested.

According to local sources, the village of Sagarpur was celebrating a religious festival when a group of young men, reportedly intoxicated, became involved in a scuffle. Responding to distress calls, Daspur police officers arrived at the scene and managed to bring the situation under control. However, tensions flared again when a youth fell from a temple pavilion. Some locals alleged that he was pushed by the police, leading to further unrest.

As tempers rose, festival attendees surrounded the police vehicle, and what started as an argument soon escalated into physical violence. One police officer suffered a severe head injury, while others sustained minor wounds. The mob allegedly hurled abuses at the officers and vandalized their vehicle.

Following the attack on law enforcement personnel, additional forces, including officers from Ghatal subdivision and senior officials from Daspur and Ghatal police stations, rushed to the scene. The RAF was deployed to manage the situation. By late night, police had detained 15 individuals suspected of assaulting officers and damaging public property.

One injured officer is currently receiving treatment at Ghatal Subdivisional Hospital. District police sources revealed that the clash initially stemmed from a group of intoxicated individuals harassing women and creating disturbances in the area. When officers attempted to intervene, they were met with violence.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh