Malda, 15 March (H.S.): Tension prevailed outside Ratua police station in West Bengal’s Malda district on Saturday night after family members of an undertrial prisoner staged a protest alleging police negligence following his death during treatment, police sources said.

The deceased was identified as Bhola Mondal (55), a resident of Bhado gram panchayat area under Ratua police station.

According to the police, Mondal had been arrested along with three others in connection with the murder of a businessman, Setabuddin, whose bloodied body was recovered from a mango orchard in Bhado on Feb 9. He was initially lodged in Chanchal correctional home and later shifted to the Maldah district correctional facility.

Family members alleged that Mondal complained of chest pain and breathing difficulties on March 11, following which prison authorities admitted him to Malda Medical College and Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment under police custody.

He died on Saturday during treatment, sources said.

After the body was handed over to the family, relatives and locals placed the body outside Ratua police station on Saturday night and staged a protest, accusing the police of negligence.

The protesters also attempted to enter the police station premises and later blocked National Highway 131, leading to traffic disruption in the area.

Police and central forces were deployed to bring the situation under control and the blockade was eventually lifted.

Ratua MLA Samar Mukherjee reached the spot and spoke to the family members in an attempt to pacify them.

Police officials said the situation later returned to normal.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey