Digha (West Bengal): A youth died after being hit allegedly by a car in the convoy of Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari in East Midnapore's Chandipur last night, locals said. Local people of the area set up a road blockade in protest and demanded immediate arrest of the Nandigram MP. Police are yet to ascertain whether the car was part of the BJP leader's convoy or not.
The accident took place at around 10 pm when the convoy was crossing a petrol pump on National Highway-116B. According to the locals, the convoy was moving at a very high speed and the driver of one of the cars lost control. The deceased, identified as Sheikh Israfil (33) was crossing the road when the speeding car hit him. Locals alleged that the convoy had left without even checking the condition of the injured youth.
Israfil, a resident of Bhairabpur in Chanditala succumbed to his injuries on the spot. Tension ensued in the area following the incident. Locals started protesting against it and set up a road blockade. They also burnt tyres.
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The protesters demanded that Adhikari should be arrested immediately. They said they would continue the road block till Adhikari was arrested. Traffic on the national highway was disrupted following the protest and passengers along with many goods vehicles remained stranded for a long time. Chandipur police reached the area and tried to bring the situation under control.
East Midnapore district superintendent of police Amarnath K said that local people alleged that Adhikari's convoy had hit the man. "We are inquiring into the matter but nothing is clear as of now", he said.
