Biswabrata Goswami
MIDNAPORE, 29 DEC: A trivial argument over tea turned fatal for a young civic volunteer in Kharagpur, exposing once again the thin line between everyday disputes and deadly violence. Tulsi Rao, alias Uday, a 30-year-old civic volunteer attached to Kharagpur Town police station, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday after battling for life for ten days in a hospital in Cuttack.
The incident took place late on the night of 15 December, shortly after Tulsi had finished his duty. Accompanied by two friends, Prakash and Devendra, he stopped at a tea stall in the Mal Godown area near Kharagpur railway station. According to police, an inebriated youth inside the shop allegedly pushed Tulsi, leading to a brief altercation. When Tulsi asked the youth to move aside and eventually pushed him back, the situation escalated rapidly.
Police said that several intoxicated youths soon gathered and attacked Tulsi and his friends. During the assault, one of the attackers allegedly struck Tulsi on the head with a bottle, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to Kharagpur Sub-Divisional Hospital with severe head injuries and required more than 20 stitches. As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted the next morning to a hospital in Cuttack, where he remained in a critical state until his death on 27 December.
Tulsi’s body was brought back after post-mortem on Sunday, triggering scenes of grief at his home as family members and neighbours broke down. The killing has sparked widespread anger across the town, with residents demanding exemplary punishment for those involved.
Police have arrested two accused, including the prime suspect, and launched a manhunt for others allegedly involved in the attack. “Two persons were arrested the day after the incident. Raids are on to nab the remaining accused,” said SP Mr Palash Chandra Dhali.
The incident also triggered political reactions. On Sunday evening, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, led a protest outside Kharagpur Town police station, alleging political patronage behind the crime and assuring the bereaved family of support. Left leader Anil Das, popularly known as Bhimda, visited Tulsi’s residence and termed the incident “deeply unfortunate”, saying that the killing of a youth associated with the police would inevitably spread fear among common citizens.
