Hawkers run amok at Bolpur station after death of colleague

30-year-old Tapan Das was beaten severely by the ASI at the station compound and thereafter made to sit in a dingy room without care for 15 minutes, leading to his death, they alleged.

The hawkers ransacked the station compound after this and gharaoed the RPF office while demanding immediate arrest of the ASI.

They also squatted on railway tracks and placed the body of the deceased across one, blocking the movement of trains.

Birbhum SP Rishikesh Meena, who arrived on the spot, appealed them to stop, but to no avail, following which they were dispersed by police in a lathicharge.

The angry hawkers also allegedly beat up an SI from Bolpur police station.

Meena said he had spoken to the concerned officials of the GRP, who will will investigate the matter, and RPF and "a case against the RPF officer has been lodged."

The Santiniketan Express was delayed by 40 minutes in the incident.