CID SIT to fast-track Sitalkuchi probe

KOLKATA: The CID on Thursday formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by its deputy inspector general Kalyan Mukherjee, to fast-track investigation into the April 10 poll-day firing in Sitalkuchi that had left four dead.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said she had sought a detailed CID report “on what happened that day” and would not like to comment before the probe was over. Prima facie, “some mischief was there”, she added.
The Cooch Behar police superintendent was replaced by the Bengal government on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters in Nabanna, CM Banerjee said: “I will wait for the (CID) report first.” She added that “strong action” would be taken against mischief-makers.
Earlier, the initial post-mortem report had indicated that in all four deaths in CISF firing that day, the victims had gunshot injuries in their upper body. The report had prompted Banerjee to refer to this incident earlier as “genocide” and “cold blooded murder”.
CISF – and district police – had said they had fired in “self-defence” when a “mob tried to snatch their firearms”.
The Calcutta High Court too has sought a CID report as several petitions are being heard that have demanded a judicial inquiry; one PIL has even urged an inquiry by a sitting HC judge. The HC is likely to take up the matter again after summer recess.
On Thursday, SIT questioned case investigating officer (of Cooch Behar) Moloy Bose. He was summoned to Bhawani Bhawan and his statement recorded. Inspector-in-charge Biswasroy Sarkar of Mathabhanga police station, under which Sitalkuchi falls, is likely to be summoned on Monday to Bhawani Bhawan, the DIG said.
The CID team has so far spoken to family members of victims and several witnesses. CID sources said polling officers will record their statements too. The state CID will then ask CISF personnel to join investigations. “It will be a time-bound probe,” Mukherjee said.
CID has also spoken to independent witness Ali Rahman, who has described in detail his version of events. CID officers have told TOI that they have asked locals to share everything they know, including videos, still photographs and even shared WhatsApp images. Two FIRs have been lodged in the case, one by a victim’s relative and another by CISF.
The CM said all five persons killed in Sitalkuchi that day, including four in the firing, had been given Rs 5 lakh compensation by the government earlier. Their next of kin would be given job of a home guard, she added.