Kolkata, February 4: Police have arrested two additional individuals in connection with a clash between two groups in the Golpark area of South Kolkata. This brings the total number of arrests related to the violence, which included bomb explosions and gunfire, to 19. However, the main suspect, Sona Pappu, remains at large.
Following the unrest on Sunday night, the Rabindra Sarobar police station has been conducting continuous raids to apprehend the suspects. On Tuesday night, two more individuals were taken into custody. The arrested suspects have been identified as Rakesh Banik and Rajiv Das, also known as Sonu, both residents of Panchanantala Road in the Rabindra Sarobar police station area. The police began searching for the rioters immediately after the violence on Sunday night, resulting in the arrest of ten individuals right away.
Later, during a raid on Monday night, four more suspects were apprehended. By Tuesday afternoon, three additional arrests were made, culminating in a total of 19 arrests.
In a surprising turn, Sona Pappu went live on Facebook on Tuesday, claiming his innocence and denying any involvement in the incident.
The clash occurred on Sunday night on Kakulia Road in Golpark, within the jurisdiction of the Rabindra Sarovar police station. Since the incident, Sona Pappu and his gang have repeatedly been mentioned. A section of local residents has accused Pappu’s gang of instigating unrest in the area.
Meanwhile, three FIRs have been registered at the Rabindra Sarovar police station concerning the incident, including a case of assault on a police vehicle.
According to local and police sources, the disturbance began around 8:30 PM on Sunday. A club picnic was taking place near Panchanantala in Golpark when a clash erupted between two groups. Reports indicate that the conflict was between a group of local traders led by Bapi Haldar and Sona Pappu’s gang. Bapi is a local businessman, and residents claim that Pappu’s gang is attempting to assert control over the area, targeting Bapi in the process.
Witnesses allege that approximately 100-150 rioters attacked the locality, with accusations of gunfire and homemade bombs being thrown. Sharp weapons were also reportedly used during the assault. Police vehicles and local residents’ motorcycles were vandalized, and bricks were hurled at one another. That same night, police recovered spent bullet casings and bomb fragments from the street.
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