Kolkata: Cops from the Jorasanko Police Station have launched a crackdown on a local gang, operating an illegal hub inside an under-construction, abandoned portion of the College Street Market or Barnaparichay.The action follows a formal complaint by the KMC on rising lawlessness and threats issued to civic officials on the premises. The civic body also requested urgent regular police patrolling in the area to secure govt property and ensure a safe environment.Police said illegal activities were reported from the second floor of B Block, the construction of which was suspended amid a litigation in the HC between Bengal Shelter Housing Development Limited and the KMC. Taking advantage of the abandoned and poorly secure premises, local goons had frequently been breaking into the building, police inquiry report stated.On June 19, KMC ,market department SI Ashis Kumar Hait and contractual electrician Arun Kumar Naskar spotted a group of men drinking on the rear staircase. When they objected, the men threatened them and stopped them from working. The two reported the incident to market superintendent Narendra Chandra De and assistant security officer Sahabuddin Mallick. A complaint was lodged at the Jorasanko PS.During the enquiry, the name of a local resident, Ali Bhai, repeatedly surfaced as the gang leader, who allegedly ran his illegal activities along with his eight associates.A case of criminal trespass, house break-in, property damage, public nuisance, and criminal intimidation has been registered against Ali and his aides.
