Leprosy patient’s home set afire

“As per our information,there was a long-standing dispute that has led to the incident. Since the leprosy patient was not at home,he was not harmed. The area is tense and we have deployed policemen there,” said C Sudhakar,SDPO Rampurhat.

Patlu Sheikh,the leprosy patient and owner of the house,alleged that a Congress gram panchayat pradhan was present when the incident occurred. According to police,Sheikh has been living in Unishpara village with his two sons and two daughters-in-law.

About two weeks ago,a miscreant,allegedly backed by Congress supporters,tried to molest one of his daughters-in-law. The miscreant left following resistance from Sheikh who later lodged a complaint with police.

Sheikh said the miscreants had later threatened him.

The accused,Congress pradhan of Bara gram panchayat,however,brushed aside the allegation and said he was returning home on his motorcycle and had stopped at the site of the incident only to enquire what had happened.

“There is no political link with the incident. It has taken place due to a conflict between two families,” said Ali.

“I stopped only for five minutes when the quarrel was on between two families. The allegation against me is completely baseless,” he added.

The district vice-president of the Congress,Muhammed Giasuddin,termed the incident shameful.

“I have heard about the incident,which is painful as the house of a leprosy patient was set on fire. I do not know if our panchayat pradhan was present there. I would certainly look into the allegation,” he said.

Police have started a case in this connection after a complaint was lodged by the victim.