Youth killed in ration agitation violence

Coochbehar, Oct 28 (UNI) A 22-year-old youth allegedly died few hours after police used batons to disperse a violent mob, who ransacked a ration dealer shop and his house at Toofangunge in this district.

Police, however, denied the allegation made by the deceased's uncle today.

Police used lathis when scores of people, who were agitating to protest inadequate rice and essentials from Jasurudding Mian's shop at Banshraja village, about 20 km east of Coochbehar town, attempted to set the shop and house of the dealer on fire yesterday.

The police lathi charge left some seven people injured. About 41 agitators had been arrested, police said.

Bikash Patoari today alleged that his nephew, Subash Patoari, who was returning home to Salbari on a bycyle, was beaten up by policemen.

Bikash, who was taken to Coochbehar hospital, succumbed to his injuries few hours late last night.

District Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar denied this saying no one has died in the lathicharge.

Hopsital authorities have registered a case of unnatural death due to multiple head injuries and sent the body for post mortem. The body was yet to be handed over to the relatives for the last rites.

Agitations against poor and inadequate essential commodities at the ration shops were spreading like wildfire in villages and towns from Toofangunge to Banskali, Mahikuchi, Sikdarer mata, Begarer mata and other places, reports reaching here said.

UNI