Fresh shootout at liquor den in Malda; Smuggler shot, 3 arrested

Another shootout erupted in Malda, this time at a liquor den in Pakkakot, under Akandaberia Gram Panchayat in Kaliachak. The incident took place on Thursday night when a clash broke out between two smuggling groups. Asim Mandal was shot, while his relative, Bikash Mandal, was injured in an attack with a sharp weapon. Both were rushed to a private hospital in English Bazar town for treatment. Police arrested three individuals—Aparajit Sarkar, alias Kalu, Rocky Singh, and Chiranjit Mandal—and launched an investigation into the incident.

According to police sources, both Asim Mandal and Aparajit Sarkar are linked to rival smuggling networks operating in the area. The confrontation reportedly started at a liquor den where members of both groups had gathered. During the altercation, Aparajit Sarkar allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot Asim Mandal. Bikash Mandal was also injured after being attacked with a sharp weapon. The motive behind the clash is still under investigation, and police are questioning the arrested suspects for further details.

Local residents claim that smuggling-related disputes have become a recurring issue in the region. Illegal liquor joints and drug trafficking routes have led to frequent violent altercations, with agricultural lands being used as smuggling corridors. Farmers have complained about damage to their crops due to unchecked criminal activities. Authorities have acknowledged the rise in such incidents and have increased surveillance in high-risk areas.

This marks the seventh shootout in Malda district within the past month. Earlier this week, two people were killed in a similar shootout at a liquor den near Birnagar Bazaar in the Baishnabnagar police station area. In that case, police arrested two suspects and are probing connections between the two incidents. The growing frequency of armed violence has raised concerns among locals about law and order in the district.

Law enforcement officials have stated that further arrests may be made based on ongoing interrogations. Additional police forces have been deployed in the affected areas, and security measures have been intensified to prevent further escalation. Authorities are also monitoring illegal activities linked to organized crime and smuggling networks operating across the district.