As festivities begin, two firing incidents in Kolkata within 24 hours spark panic

‘There is complete absence of law and order in this state,’ said BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya, while TMC spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar alleged a ‘rise in rowdiness across the country, not just Bengal’

Written by Tanushree Bose

Kolkata | September 22, 2025 05:01 PM IST

3 min read

BJP MP and state president Samik Bhattacharya criticized the law and order situation, saying: “There is complete absence of law and order in this state, complete anarchy. The goons think this is a safe haven for them and no one will touch them.” (File photo)

The onset of the festive season in Kolkata has been overshadowed by two separate shooting incidents within 24 hours, causing alarm among residents.

On Sunday morning, two unidentified assailants opened fire inside a popular gym in the Charu Market police station area. An eye-witness said the attackers allegedly arrived on a scooter, wearing raincoats and covering their faces. They allegedly asked for the gym owner and fired “two rounds” when they failed to locate them. No injuries were reported.

The gym, located in a busy market, was crowded with regular members at the time. Police reached the spot q and launched an investigation. CCTV footage from the gym and nearby establishments is being scanned, and statements from the owner and witnesses have been recorded, officials said. A preliminary investigation suggested the attack may be linked to a “personal or business rivalry”. No arrests have been made so far, raising security concerns among residents. who have demanded stronger patrolling.

The next morning on Monday, another incident added to the city’s unease. The body of a young man was discovered near the DC Port office in Garden Reach, under the jurisdiction of West Port police station. A firearm was recovered near the body, prompting investigators to consider both homicide and suicide. The deceased has been identified as Shresth Dhurka, son of Pradip Dhurka, who had been working with a private company in Bhowanipur for the past six months. His family has been informed.

A senior police officer said the body was found around 9:45 am after residents spotted him lying on the road. The gun was located between his legs, and a black bag containing documents lay nearby. CCTV footage from the vicinity is under review, and authorities are probing whether the shooting occurred at the site or elsewhere.

The incidents have sparked political reactions. BJP MP and state president Samik Bhattacharya criticized the law and order situation, saying: “There is complete absence of law and order in this state, complete anarchy. The goons think this is a safe haven for them and no one will touch them.”

The TMC, in turn, blamed systemic issues under the Centre. Party spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar told The Indian Express, “There has been a rise in rowdiness not only in Bengal but across the country. The root cause is the struggle of the poor to get two square meals a day in the (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi era, as the wealth of the nation is concentrated in the hands of the super-rich. The deprivation of basic necessities fuels frustration among the lower classes, leading to such incidents.”

Police investigations are ongoing in both cases.

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