Kolkata: A Class 9 student in South Kolkata’s Bansdroni area died on Wednesday morning when he was struck by an excavator (JCB vehicle). The boy was on his way to tuition classes when the incident occurred near the Dinesh Nagar auto stand. Despite being rushed to Bangur Hospital in Tollygunge by locals, doctors declared him dead upon arrival, according to police reports.
Deputy Commissioner of South Suburban Division Bansdroni, Bidisha Kalita says, "It was reported that a boy died in an accident with a JCB vehicle. A case has been registered but there was a ruckus in the area over this… At present, efforts are being made to bring the law and order under control. Video footage is being seen and action will be taken accordingly."
The driver of the excavator fled the scene immediately, prompting a police investigation to locate him. Following the tragedy, residents of the area launched protests, blaming the poor condition of the road, which they said had been awaiting repairs for a long time. They also criticised the police for their delayed response to the accident.
Angry protesters vandalised the excavator involved in the incident and confronted a senior police officer, demanding the presence of their local councillor and MLA. They called the boy's death a "state-sponsored murder," holding the government accountable for the deteriorating infrastructure in their neighbourhood.
Anita Kar Majumder, the councillor for Ward 113 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, stated that road repairs were ongoing as part of an underground drainage project.
Tensions flared during the protests, leading to a confrontation between locals and police officers. Some residents alleged that members of the Trinamool Congress party had assaulted protesters. In one instance, a police officer was accused of pushing a woman, causing her to lose consciousness, according to local claims.
A senior police officer confirmed that the driver of the excavator was still at large and assured that the incident and the subsequent protests would be thoroughly investigated.
(With inputs from ANI)