A 58-year-old man was killed on Friday evening after being beaten in the New Jalpaiguri neighbourhood of Siliguri, West Bengal.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. in Siliguri Municipal Corporation’s ward number 35, according to the Indian Express.
Mohammed Johuri was requested to pay Rs 500 to around 10 people who came to his home in the Rajahuli neighbourhood of Siliguri. Johuri was beaten by the young man till he collapsed on the ground because he refused to pay the ‘Dadagiri tax.’
His daughter was also beaten by the men as she attempted to help her father. The criminals escaped when the neighbours came out of the house. Doctors confirmed Johari dead after he and his daughter were taken to a nearby hospital.
The opposition claimed that the police and the Trinamool Congress were close to those criminals.
Police say that Mohammad Jahuri was among those playing cards at Rajahuli in Siliguri’s ward 35. Local youth beat him during an argument that erupted during the game.
There hasn’t been an arrest yet. Police have been stationed in the area to prevent tensions from rising. The police station in New Jalpaiguri has opened an inquiry and is currently searching for the criminals. However, they said that nobody would be spared.
Local BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh said, “These criminals are on one hand protected by the TMC and surrounded by the police, as they carry out such criminal activities from the safe shelter of the police. The names of those who have been accused have had many complaints before. Their names were also associated with the incident of the MLA of Dabgram. As a result, naturally there is going to be a situation where later on it will be criminals versus people.”
The Trinamool Congress, however, denied the accusations. “Such a reprehensible incident cannot be accepted in any way. Police are investigating the incident. It is desirable that the culprits be punished,” local Trinamool leader Jaydeep Nandi said.
