Student leader’s death: Two policemen suspended, SIT visits victim’s residence

The three were on duty at Amta police station on February 18 night when Anis died.

“The ASI of Amta Police station Nirmal Das, Constable Jitendra Hembram and Home Guard Kashinath Bera were on duty at Amta Police Station on the night when the incident took place and were allegedly found negligent,” said a senior police officer.

Police haven’t yet ruled out the possibility that any personnel had visited Anis’s house the night he died.

Senior TMC leader Partha Chatterjee on Tuesday said the suspension of the cops showed the “intention of the government.” “Those who have done it will definitely be punished under the law,” he said.

According to Anis’s family, the 28-year-old student leader died on February 18 night after he was allegedly thrown off the second floor of his residence by four unidentified persons in Howrah district’s Sarada Dakshin Khan Para village under Amta police station. His father Salem Khan has alleged that one of the accused was “in police uniform” and the others in civil volunteers’ uniform.

As per sources, some of the SIT officials, DIG-CID (Operations) Meeraj Khalid and Joint Commissioner of Police ( Barrackpore) Dhrubjyoti Dey visited Amta police station on Monday night with Howrah (Rural) SP Soumya Roy and checked the roster for those on duty on the night of the incident, following which the two policemen were suspended and the Home Guard was demobilised. Officer in Charge and Second Officer of Amta police station was also summoned by the ADG CID on Tuesday as part of the ongoing investigation, said sources.

However, Anis’s family is adamant on the demand for a CBI probe into the student leader’s death as they “don’t trust the state police”. “Is the SIT any different from the police that came to my house that day, knocked on my door, took the stairs and pushed my son off and killed him? They are a part of the same force. I have been saying this repeatedly, I don’t trust them. Let the case be handed over to CBI,” Anis’ father Salem Khan told The Indian Express.

Salem also termed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks that Anis was in “good contact” with the TMC and that he had helped the party during the 2021 Assembly elections as “baseless”. “Anis was never associated with the TMC,” said Salem.

The SIT members faced a protest from local residents when they visited Anis’s house in Sarada Dakshin Khan Para village on Tuesday. The SIT examined the crime scene and spoke to the family members. Both Salem and Anis’s elder brother Sabir Khan refused to record their statement before the SIT separately, said sources.

Anis’s death has sparked several protests across Kolkata. Many prominent personalities and social activists have been part of these protests and are seeking justice for his family.

At the same time, the incident has triggered a political storm in West Bengal as opposition parties hit out at the ruling TMC and alleged that the police were involved in the student leader’s death.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday alleged that the suspension of “low-ranked cops” may be a bid by senior officers to “save themselves.

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said, “The move [suspension] is just an eyewash,” said Majumdar.
Reacting to Adhikari’s comment, TMC’s Partha Chatterjee said, “He talks like a ringmaster everyday. He has no connect with people on ground. Such people are losing their relevance as politicians.”

TMC Spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “Three persons have already been suspended in this case. His (Adhikari) statement shows that he has lost his mental stability.”

Chatterjee, meanwhile, also reacted sharply to Anis’ father’s claims that he had no links with the TMC. “What the Chief Minister said is true. I don’t know who is saying what, but I will accept her words as true.”

Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty demanded the Chief Minister’s resignation. “The CM must resign, she has no right to stay in power,” he said on Tuesday.

State Transport Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, assured the student leader’s family that an impartial investigation would be conducted.

Student protesters clash with cops in Kolkata

A large number of students of Aliah University marched from Park Circus to College Street in Kolkata on Tuesday, demanding justice for Anis Khan’s family and immediate arrest of the accused. The procession passed through CIT Road, Moulali and was stopped at College Street. Protesters sat on the road, blocking the traffic movement. They also entered into a scuffle on the Sealdah flyover after being stopped before they could reach Writer’s Building. The protesters alleged that the police used batons to disperse them. According to sources, 58 students were picked up by the police from the spot. Meanwhile, protests were also organised in Jadavpur, with students demanding immediate arrest of the culprits. (ENS)