Police, Central forces disperse protesters demanding release of Jahangir Khan

Tension prevailed in South 24-Parganas’ Falta on Tuesday after police and Central forces dispersed a protest staged by supporters of arrested local strongman Jahangir Khan, who was recently apprehended near the India-Nepal border and is currently in police custody.

The protest, organised in parts of Mallikpur under Falta police station limits, saw a large number of local residents, including women, taking to the streets to demand Khan’s release. Demonstrators also protested against the manner in which the accused was allegedly paraded by the police following his arrest. According to local sources, the agitation was concentrated in the Mahmudpur, Nawpukuria and Banhogla areas, where protesters blocked roads and staged sit-ins carrying placards.

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As the protest intensified, police personnel along with Central armed forces were deployed in the area. Officials said the gathering was creating disruption and posed a potential law-and-order concern. Security personnel moved in to disperse the crowd, triggering panic among the protesters. The footage appeared to show protesters fleeing in different directions as personnel wielding batons moved to clear the area. Senior officers maintained that necessary measures were taken to restore normalcy and prevent any untoward incident.