A factory owner was hospitalised after he was allegedly assaulted in Howrah’s Jagacha area on Wednesday over a demand for a large Durga Puja donation, with police detaining two people in connection with the incident.
The injured man, identified as Palash Chhari, runs a factory in Ichhapur industrial area, which falls under Jagacha police station. The alleged assault took place near the factory in the Kamardanga area, where the APJ Club is organising a Durga Puja celebration.
According to a report by Anandabazar – West Bengal, several club members allegedly approached Chhari with a demand for a substantial contribution. Chhari alleged that a group of people attacked him at around noon on Wednesday after he did not pay the amount sought. He was subsequently admitted to Howrah District Hospital with injuries to his head and face.
Chhari alleged that the attack was led by Sandeep Mal, also known as Raja Mal, who is described in the report as the secretary of the club and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Shivpur-2 mandal president. “They attacked my factory under the leadership of Sandeep Mal, also known as Raja Mal. They broke my head and face because I did not pay the donation they demanded,” Chhari was quoted as saying.
His brother, Pallab Chhari, who is identified as the BJP’s Shivpur-3 mandal president, said the injured businessman was not involved in politics. He alleged that club members surrounded his brother while carrying weapons and assaulted him. He said the family was frightened and wanted the police to investigate the incident and take appropriate action.
The allegations have not been independently established. Sandeep Mal denied that the club used coercion to collect donations. He said the club members and local residents contributed voluntarily and that anyone could make an allegation. Mal also said the police should investigate the matter.
A local resident, Subhash Pal, separately alleged that residents in the area were facing coercive demands for festival contributions. He said the incident had caused fear in the neighbourhood ahead of Durga Puja and alleged that the presence of outsiders at the club had increased recently.
Jagacha police said two people had been detained. The police said the detentions were primarily related to the alleged assault and that the entire matter was being examined. The report did not identify the detained individuals or specify whether any formal case had been registered.
The incident brings together two immediate urban concerns in Howrah’s industrial belt: the safety of small businesses and residents, and the role of local police in responding to allegations of coercive fundraising. At this stage, the police inquiry remains the formal process for establishing what happened, who was involved and whether further action will follow.
