Local protest erupts over alleged police harassment near Malia station in Hooghly

A wave of tension swept through the vicinity of Malia station in Haripal, Hooghly, as local residents protested against the alleged harassment of a woman heading to Nalikul market by individuals in a police-registered vehicle. The incident unfolded when a woman from a nearby village, en route to the market with cabbage, was reportedly accosted by two to four individuals in the vicinity of Malia station. This led to a scuffle, attracting the attention of the local community. In response, residents gathered and halted the police vehicle, demanding justice for the woman. Haripal police station authorities, upon being informed, dispatched personnel to the scene, intensifying efforts to diffuse the situation.

As tensions escalated, residents encircled the police, demanding accountability for the alleged perpetrators. The police, facing heightened hostility, resorted to using batons to restore order in the area. Consequently, several villagers were reportedly arrested for vandalizing a government vehicle during the protest. The police claim that three officers sustained injuries in the course of the incident. The situation remains dynamic, with the community seeking redress for the reported harassment, while law enforcement attempts to address the fallout and maintain public order.