Bengal policeman dies after clash with gamblers

A police sub-inspector died in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district following a clash with gamblers, police said on Wednesday, following at least 21 people have been arrested in this connection.

While the top police brass claimed that sub inspector Ranjit Kumar Pal died following a sudden cardiac arrest, the victim's family have accused the police of cover up and demanded an independent probe into the death.

"He (Pal) was hit by a brick in the chest. Why can't understand why police are trying to pass it off as a death due to heart attack when he was killed by the gamblers," said Pal's wife.

The incident happened Monday night when a police team led by Pal raided a house in Panisala village in Cooch Behar following reports of gambling.

"According to the doctors, Pal did not sustain any external injury and the cause of death is sudden cardiac arrest. He collapsed following a scuffle with the gamblers who pelted stones on the police team," superintendent of police Rajesh Kumar Yadav said.