Two killed in Kolkata property dispute

Two people were shot dead and another critically injured here Monday following a clash over a disputed property in the city's upscale Short Street area, police said.

Police said the incident took place at a house wherein a nursery school is run.

"Two people were killed on the spot and another critically injured after they were shot at. The incident happened in the early hours (Monday) when a group of people forcibly entered a house and a woman inmate opened fire," Joint Commissioner of Police P.K. Ghosh said.

According to police, the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage shows a woman opening fire at the group who intruded into the house.

Two people, including a woman, have been arrested in this connection. A few others have been detained for questioning, Ghosh said.

"Whether there was a gun battle and whether the intruders carried guns, we will have to look into it," he added.

The woman, Mamata Agarwal, claimed she was molested by the intruders and fired at them in self-defence.

"Two men barged into my office and pounced on me tearing my clothes. My assistant opened fire at the intruders. A similar attack took place a few months back and despite informing the police nothing was done. I even wrote to the governor," said Agarwal.

She said a security agency and some influential people including a local political leader were eying the property where she runs the school and the attack was part of the conspiracy to forcibly acquire it.

Locals accused the police of arriving late at the scene and said they were apprehensive of their security.