Village empties out as cops pick up 20 for arson

Kolkata: Two villages — Suryapur and Alipore — surrounding the spot of crime where a minor girl was raped and then killed wore a deserted look on Wednesday as the villagers are on tenterhooks with 20 people being picked up for arson.About 24 hours before, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that about 200 people were identified for their involvement in attack on police, vandalism and burning of govt vehicles. While 20 of them have been detained, a police raid is on to trace and pick up the rest.On a visit to both these villages, TOI found that men mostly remained indoors as they feared to come out lest they would be picked up. On hearing the marching sound of boots or people’s voices, some women either peeped out of their windows or came out asking, “Where will you go?” and “Who are you looking for?”, suspecting anyone could be a cop in plain clothes.A kin of Rajesh Sardar, who was detained by the police, stated: “We are afraid we will also be picked up for interrogation. I am not sure whether Rajesh was part of the vandalism, though the incident has triggered an outburst. In fear of detention, many neighbours have already moved to their relatives’ houses.”A neighbour of Farooq Sardar, who was also picked up by the police, rued: “I was not part of any protest or vandalism.

By the ‘vice’ of being Farooq’s neighbour, I may be quizzed by the police. My wife has already moved to my in-laws’ house and she is in panic, fearing for me. I cannot leave my ailing parents at home.”Though the women of the two villages came out for work or for buying essentials, they were also found scurrying back home. Tapasi Mondal, a villager of Suryapur, said: “I also have a daughter and after this incident, I am in panic to let her go out for school.

At the same time, I am thankful my husband lives in Kolkata for work. Had he been here, he might have also been detained.”Anindita Mondal of Alipore said: “I am worried over my son as my neighbours’ sons have been picked up for arson. We are living in fear and our financial condition is not so sound that we will shift elsewhere.”Bandana Bag, a villager from Suryapur, echoed a similar fear. “A few of those picked up for arson live in my area and many mothers are in panic for their sons,” she said.