Goons drinking alcohol on ashram-temple, beats women who protested, Howrah Police refuses FIR

Residents of Kadamtala New Bazar under Batra Police Station in Howrah are living in fear and fury after a gang of local goons openly turned the premises of an ashram and temple into a drinking den and brutally thrashed women who dared to object. The accused, including notorious names like Bapi and Chhotu, allegedly sit for hours consuming alcohol right in the sacred premises, creating nuisance and harassing passers-by. When a group of local women finally gathered courage and confronted them, the men turned violent and beat them up.

Shaken victims rushed to Bantra police station to lodge a complaint, only to face fresh shock – officers allegedly refused to register an FIR and instead threatened the women to “settle” the matter with the goons directly. Locals claim this is not the first time, this same gang has a long history of extorting money from nearby factories and promoters, and even beat up a businessman inside his own unit last year when he refused to pay protection money. That assault was clearly recorded on CCTV, yet no serious action was taken.

Residents alleges every time they approach, the Howrah Police, some officers visit their homes at night and warn them to stay silent. The open drinking at the Kadantala Naya Bazar area's temple-ashram has been going on for months despite repeated written and verbal complaints, leaving people feeling helpless and angry.Outraged citizens have now appealed to the Howrah district administration and senior police officers to intervene immediately. They demand strict punishment for the accused goons as well as an inquiry against the local Bantra thana officer who are allegedly shielding them. Until action is taken, women say they no longer feel safe stepping out, and the sanctity of the religious place stands completely violated.