Hostage drama in WB hospital ends, one killed

Seeking to avenge the killing of his father and brother five years ago, an armed man took 16 persons, mainly patients, hostage at a governme...

Seeking to avenge the killing of his father and brother five years ago, an armed man took 16 persons, mainly patients, hostage at a government hospital and shot dead one of them before giving himself up this morning.

After nearly 12 hours of negotiations with police the gunman, who identified himself as ‘‘Tiger Singh’’ and ‘‘Tiger Khan’’, surrendered at 7.35 am.

Inspector General (Western Range) Gautam Chakraborty said “Tiger” confessed that his father and brother were killed five or six years ago by the man, Sadananda Layek, he killed in the Suri Sadar hospital.

Story continues below this ad

Layek was killed at around 4:00 am when “Tiger” detonated a bomb inside the ward and opened fire after police targeted him from outside.

In Kolkata, DIG (Headquarter) Narayan Ghosh said “Tiger” was actually Hurai, a history-sheeter, who was a resident of Dubrajpur in the district.

District SP Chakraborty said after Hurai surrendered, it was found that he had two handguns and a bagful of bombs.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress and its ally BJP criticised the Left Front government for its alleged failure in dealing with ‘‘gangsters and mafia’’ and said the hostage drama amply proved that there was no law and order in the state.