Cops vandalise 30 trucks after bribe demand refusal, 4 SIs suspended
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Kolkata: Four sub-inspectors attached to New Alipore Police were suspended by Lalbazar on Wednesday evening after they were accused of vandalising nearly 30 trucks parked near the New Alipore railway siding in the N-block.
The action followed within hours after truckers, including both owners and drivers, staged a protest and launched a demonstration by parking their vehicles on the road from Wednesday morning. They claimed the cops vandalised trucks when the drivers refused to comply with the cops' "extortion attempt". Truck owners blocked the intersection near the police station for about 45 minutes during intermittent rain, adding to the inconvenience of students and the general public.
According to local sources, the incident began around midnight on Tuesday when hundreds of trucks were parked on Brahmabandhab Upadhyay Road and the adjacent New Alipore siding, a regular affair for several decades. At 12.30 am, some cops arrived at the spot and allegedly started vandalising the trucks under the pretext of clearing the area of "illegal parking". The windshields of several trucks were smashed, and the front tyres were deflated.
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When the drivers and helpers sleeping protested, they were allegedly beaten by the police.
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In response, truck owners parked the damaged vehicles near Alipore PS in the morning. Later, New Alipore police persuaded the protesters to disperse after promising action. "We have suspended four sub-inspectors pending further enquiry," said DC (South) Priyobrata Roy. Sources said prima facie evidence, as sought by the top brass of Lalbazar, found the conduct of these cops "not in line with the rules of service".
Sajal Ghosh, secretary of the federation of West Bengal truck operators' association, said, "At least 30 trucks have been damaged in what we strongly condemn as an unprovoked act of vandalism by the police. The road in question has long been used for truck parking due to the proximity of the railway siding. If police have an issue with the on-road parking of the trucks near the siding, then the siding needs to be shifted out of the city.
We demand a clear explanation from the police: Why was such destruction carried out? Who will bear the losses? As members of the trucker community, we are already burdened by relentless extortion and harassment by the police. This latest incident only deepens our sense of injustice. We will not remain silent — we are determined to escalate the matter to the highest authorities to seek accountability and justice."
Association member Rajen Singh said, "Cops repeatedly demand money, and harass us when we can't pay. Our trucks have been vandalised earlier as well, but Tuesday's harassment crossed limits." Cops denied the harassment claims but said a probe is on "to ascertain case details."
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