Point-blank shooting in Howrah leaves promoter dead

A young man, identified as Soufik Khan and locally known as a promoter, was shot dead at point-blank range in the Pilkhana area of Howrah early on Wednesday morning, triggering panic and tension in the locality.

Police from the Golabari police station reached the spot soon after receiving information.

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According to local sources and the victim’s family, Soufik was shot after he refused to pay money allegedly demanded from him. The family claimed that the murder was the result of an old rivalry and an ongoing dispute over money.

Following the incident, tension spread in the area, and CCTV footage of the shooting surfaced. The footage shows Soufik was standing and talking with two youths when one of them suddenly pulled out a firearm and shot Soufik from close range. Another youth, also opened fire immediately after.

Police said Soufik sustained gunshot wounds on the head and chest, with the bullets passing through his body. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The victim’s family alleged that two men, identified as Harun Sheikh and Rohit, were involved in the shooting. They claimed the duo had been demanding money from Soufik and that frequent arguments over the issue led to the murder.

Police, however, said no arrests have been made so far and an investigation is underway.

Local residents demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and strict punishment, raising concerns over public safety.

Some locals even warned of boycotting the upcoming polls if action is not taken against the accused.

Former councillor Mohammad Rustam visited the spot and said criminals were openly using firearms ahead of the Assembly elections, calling for more proactive policing.

Police Commissioner Akash Magharia said preliminary findings suggest the murder stemmed from a financial dispute and added that raids are on to trace the accused.

The local BJP has claimed that Sheikh was close to the Trinamul’s Howrah North MLA Gautam Chowdhury. Saffron party also shared a video of the MLA along with Sheikh. The other accused in the murder, identified as Rohit, is suspected to be an arms dealer who had been imprisoned some years ago in connection with another case. When Chowdhury went to meet the family members of the slain promoter, he met with protests from the locals. “I am a public representative. I get to meet thousands of people daily. It is not possible to find out who is a criminal and who is clean. A murder has taken place and the police will find the culprits,” said the MLA.

The residents of Pilkhana Road threatened to boycott the upcoming Assembly polls unless the killers are caught. There was a massive traffic congestion as local people put up roadblock demanding immediate arrest of the criminals. To bring the situation under control, a large police contingent, along with personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), was deployed in the area.

The incident comes close on the heels of a shooting reported late Monday night on Tiljala Road in Kolkata, where a 23-year-old youth was injured and later admitted to SSKM Hospital.