Murder case witness shot dead near Kankinara market

Bhatpara (North 24-Parganas): A witness in a murder case who had identified the accused was shot dead by unditentified assailants near Kankinara market on Wednesday evening. Around 4pm, three bike-borne men arrived at a tea stall where 21-year-old trader, Md Shakeel, was sitting and pumped bullets into the head and chest at point blank range.
Around two months ago, a 25-year-old youth, Md Amon, had been shot dead in Bhatpara.During investigation, police had recorded Shakeel's statement as a witness and identified local criminals. Police were, however, unable to arrest them. Sources suspect that the information on Shakeel appearing as a witness in the murder leaked out, leading to the revenge killing on Wednesday evening.
A senior officer of Barrackpore Commissionerate said the victim too had a criminal past but had stepped forward to help the police in the murder case. "We are investigating whether the gang that had murdered Amon also killed Shakeel," he said. Police have launched a combing operation to net the assailants. Surrounding police stations including Naihati, Jagaddal, Bijpur and Titagarh have also been alerted.