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HOWRAH/BANKURA: A 35-year-old was lynched in Howrah’s Malipanchghora on Sunday morning and another 27-year-old was brutally beaten up in Bankura on suspicion of being a thief. While Ershad Sk had died by the time Howrah police could shift him to hospital, Sabir Khan is now battling for life in Bankura Sammilani Hospital after police rescued him.

According to the police, who have gone through CCTV footage linked to the Howrah lynching, Ershad — a Nadia resident — had been engaged in a private engineering company in Howrah as a labourer. He used to stay with other labourers in Howrah’s Ghusuri. On Sunday morning, Ershad was seen “sneaking” into a covered truck which fuelled suspicions that he was trying to steal material from the vehicle. The truck driver — Noor Alam — instigated others, who not only assaulted Ershad but also pelted stones at him. He was later left on the road. Locals alerted police after seeing the body on the road. Amit Rathore, DCP (North), Howrah, said, “Alam, the prime suspect, has been arrested. We are looking for others. The CCTV footage is also being examined.”

The Bankura incident took place around the same time. In Locopara under Bankura Sadar police station, locals started chasing three unidentified persons. While they caught hold of one, others fled. Bankura police station’s inspector-in-charge Asoke Mishra said, “We received information that several locals were assaulting an unidentified youth on suspicion of being a thief. We rescued him and rushed him to hospital. The victim is severely injured but is stable.” Victim Sabir Khan, a source said, is a Bankura resident who had come to Locopara for trade. Police said they have lodged a specific case in this matter.

