A family from Budge Budge in South 24 Parganas was allegedly assaulted by staff members of a resort at Mandarmani in East Midnapore district on Saturday, September 5. The incident reportedly occurred after a dispute over parking and room enquiries. Several members of the family, including elderly people, women and children, were allegedly beaten during the altercation.
Dispute Reportedly Began Over Parking
According to the family, Mohammad Asif had travelled to Mandarmani with his relatives for a short visit. After reaching the beach area, they parked their car outside a resort and went inside to enquire about rooms. However, after finding the rooms unsuitable, they left to look at another hotel nearby.
The family alleged that when they returned to the area, they found the resort’s security guard arguing with their driver and attempting to move their vehicle. A dispute reportedly followed between the family and the resort staff.
Family Alleges Resort Staff Joined Confrontation
According to the tourists, the situation escalated when the security guard allegedly began striking their vehicle with a stick. When the family objected, the resort manager and other staff members allegedly joined the confrontation and assaulted them with sticks.
Video of Incident Circulates on Social Media
A video purportedly showing the incident has circulated on social media. The Observer Post has not independently verified the authenticity of the video. The footage appears to show several people involved in a physical altercation, with an elderly man and a woman reportedly falling to the ground during the incident.
Elderly People and Women Among Those Injured
Family members alleged that the resort staff did not spare anyone during the assault, including elderly people and women. Several people sustained injuries, with one woman reportedly suffering serious injuries. The injured family members were subsequently taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Tourist Alleges Family Was Beaten With Sticks
Mohammad Asif told the media that the dispute began over the parking of their vehicle. “Our car was parked on the road. Initially, the hotel’s security guard asked us to move it, so I drove it a little further forward. Suddenly, the guard returned and started hitting the car with a stick. When I protested, they began beating me indiscriminately. When my family members tried to intervene and save me, they were assaulted as well,” Asif alleged. He further alleged that the hotel staff members slapped and beat the family with sticks during the confrontation.
Two Hotel Staff Members Arrested
Following the incident, Mandarmani police reached the spot after receiving information about the alleged assault. A complaint was subsequently lodged by the family, following which the police arrested two people in connection with the case. According to police, the arrested individuals have been identified as hotel manager Bhaskar Biswas, 35, a resident of Badkulla in Nadia district, and security guard Subrata Ghosh, 45, a resident of North 24 Parganas district. Both were produced before a court on Sunday. The police are investigating the circumstances that led to the confrontation and the allegations of assault.
Hotel Owners’ Association Condemns Alleged Assault
The incident has also drawn criticism from the local hotel industry. Ashok Adak, secretary of the Hotel Owners’ Association, condemned the alleged assault and said tourists visiting Mandarmani should be treated as guests. “The incident that took place is highly condemnable. Tourists are our guests, and assaulting them was wrong. Representatives of the association visited the hotel and looked into the matter. We have decided to issue a show-cause notice to the hotel and seek a detailed explanation of the incident,” Adak told the media. He added that the association had also urged the administration to take appropriate legal action based on the findings of the investigation.
Incident Raises Concerns Among Tourists
Mandarmani is one of the major tourist destinations in coastal East Midnapore and attracts visitors from Kolkata and neighbouring districts throughout the year. The alleged assault of a tourist family has therefore raised concerns among visitors and members of the local tourism industry.
