Five Bengal policemen injured in attack by mob

Five policemen sustained serious injuries on Sunday when a mob attacked them in West Bengal's Malda district.

The incident happened in Kumarganj village when a 15-member police team was returning after carrying out a special drive to apprehend 10 people wanted in an explosion case.

While the police team was returning after arresting two of the criminals, a large mob armed with sticks and knives attacked them aiming to free those arrested.

"Five of our men, including two assistant sub-inspectors, have been injured," said a police officer.

There are allegations that the attack was carried out at the behest of Mohabbat Sheikh, a local Congress leader and one of the accused in the explosion case.

The party has denied the charge.

"Wild allegations are being made to defame the Congress, none of our party people are involved in this incident," district Congress president and Malda North MP Mausam Noor said.

Earlier in January, a large mob attacked the Kaliachak police station in the district and set on fire several vehicles belonging to the police and the Border Security Force.

--IANS

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