Ration riots spread, 5 more shops looted in WB

The protests over irregularities in the public distribution system spread to South 24-Parganas district of West Bengal on Saturday night.

A mob attacked four ration shops and a kerosene shop in Netaji gram panchayat’s Kakdip block and looted around 400 bags of rice and 14 barrels of kerosene. The mob also made away with some electronic goods. Sources said locals prevented the police from entering Jhumai Naskar Hat. They had to use force to disperse the mob.

South 24-Parganas SP Praveen Kumar said only two incidents of violence were reported till noon. “The situation is under control. We have not made any arrests yet,” he added. South 24-Parganas District Magistrate Sanghamitra Ghosh said the situation will be brought under control by taking the people and dealers into confidence.