West Bengal: Car runs over cyclist; two killed after fleeing occupants open fire

Malda: Two youths were killed on Sunday as unidentified persons, who were fleeing in a car that had fatally hit a cyclist, opened fire on the mob that gave chase after them at Kulipara in Malda district, police said.

Representational image. AFP

While 18-year-old Asim Mondal died on the spot after being hit by a bullet, his critically-injured teenaged friend Rahul Paswan died on the way to a Kolkata hospital, a senior police officer said.

The officer added that Pabitra Roy, the Sabhapati of English Bazar Panchayat Samity — for whose official work the vehicle was allegedly being used — has been arrested.

The MUV was fleeing after knocking down a cyclist, who died on the spot. As some locals, including the two youths, gave chase to the vehicle, some people opened fire, the officer said.

Irate locals blocked the Malda-Manikchak Road for some time while RAF personnel were deployed in the area.

Roy later surrendered before English Bazar police station, he said.

Locals have alleged that the vehicle was used by Roy for official work and a complaint has been filed against him, the officer said, adding that investigations are on.

Paswan was being rushed to a Kolkata hospital from Malda Medical College with a bullet lodged in his brain but died on the way, police said.

The victim started bleeding profusely as the ambulance reached Dhubulia and passed away as the vehicle was approaching Jangipur, said another senior police officer.

Roy, meanwhile, will be produced in court on Monday, the officer added.

PTI