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Burdwan, Feb. 6: A Burdwan artisan and his family were assaulted after he requested the owner of a hooch den next to his home to shut the outlet temporarily because drunken brawls were affecting his son’s preparations for the Madhyamik exams later this month.
Nitish Ghorui, 44, a resident of Ausgram’s Sargram village, had to be hospitalised with fractured arms and cuts on his legs after being allegedly assaulted last afternoon by hooch den owner Sambhu Ghorui and around 50 residents who frequent the outlet. His wife and son were also beaten.
“The drunken revelries and brawls everyday were affecting my son’s studies. His exams begin on February 24. So I requested Sambhu to keep his shop closed till the exams are over. But he ridiculed me by asking whether my son wanted to become another Vidyasagar,” said Nitish, who makes bamboo artefacts.
“He said his hooch business brought him lots of money and refused to listen to me. When I warned him that I would be compelled to inform police about his illicit liquor trade, Sambhu threatened me with dire consequences,” he added.
Nitish’s wife Jharna said that within a few hours, a group of about 50 residents led by Sambhu attacked the couple’s house and ransacked it. “Some of them dragged my husband out of the house, tied him to a lamppost and beat him up with sticks and rods. The others assaulted me and my son Sanjib. They also looted cash, ornaments and cellphones.”
A police officer said Sambhu and the other attackers were absconding. “The hooch shop has been sealed.”
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