KoPT seeking legal recourse, apprises centre of Kolkata plot

A day after its officials were assaulted for trying to reclaim an "illegally occupied" plot in the city, the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) on Monday said it was pursuing legal recourse and also informed the central government about the matter.

Armed with an eviction order, a team of KoPT officials led by estate manager in-charge, S K Dhar, went to reclaim the land in the city's Taratala area that was sublet to a film production company.

But Dhar and his team were aassaulted and dragged out of the property by nearly 200 assailants.

"KoPT will pursue the writ of mandamus already filed before the Calcutta High Court. The union ministry of shipping and the central government are being informed about the matter," said KoPT senior public relations officer Sanjoy Kumar Mukherjee.

With the owner of the film company perceived close to the Trinamool Congress, the opposition has been pointing fingers at the West Bengal's ruling party.

A large number of Bharatiya Janata Party supporters led by party leader Subhash Sarkar during the day held protests outside Taratala police station demanding arrests of the culprits alleging they were Trinamool activists.

But state Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, who met senior port officials during the day, rubbished the charges.

"Trinamool activists have nothing to do with it," he said.

"Who owns the land, how much of the land is of the film producer I do not know," added Hakim.