Raniganj's Heist: A robbery squad of seven members broke into a jewellery store in Asansol's Raniganj neighbourhood, attempting a ₹4 crore robbery in broad daylight, at around 12:30 pm. A CCTV camera outside the business captured footage of Sub-Inspector Meghnad Mondal exchanging gunfire with the criminals from behind an electric pole.
The West Bengal Police, in a post on X, said that 20 bullets were fired before the criminals escaped. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), a timely response from neighbouring police units resulted in a standoff between policemen and thieves. Though the group managed to leave on motorcycles with a large haul of jewellery, they left behind a bag storing further looted ornaments in their haste.
স্রেফ একটি বিদ্যুতের খুঁটিকে 'মেঘ' বানিয়ে তার আড়াল থেকে আগাগোড়া লড়ে গেছেন বাস্তবের 'মেঘনাদ', জীবনের বিন্দুমাত্র তোয়াক্কা না করেই। রোমহর্ষক সেই কাহিনি শুনতে চাওয়ার অসংখ্য অনুরোধ আসছে পরিচিতদের কাছ থেকে, আর মেঘনাদ এড়িয়ে যাচ্ছেন অল্প হেসে। ..(১৫/১৬) pic.twitter.com/EyE290gyNW— West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) June 11, 2024
As of Tuesday, two of the accused have been taken into custody and an investigation for the others is underway.
- Suraj Singh, a native of the Gopalganj region in Giridi district, was apprehended at the scene.
- Sonu Singh, who was injured in the incident, was detained in Bihar's Siwan district yesterday and is now being treated in a hospital in Dhanbad.
Mr Meghnad Mondal, the officer in charge of a police outpost, was in the neighbourhood for personal reasons. He was dressed in civilian clothes but was carrying his military revolver. Mr. Mondal stood his stand, strongly returning the robbers' fire. He began racing after the fleeing robbers as the offenders continued to fire. Later, when he couldn't catch up with the two-wheelers, he alerted nearby police and sent out a notice to adjoining Jharkhand. Reports in the press have propelled him to sudden fame in the small town, yet when asked to tell the story, he responds with a smile or a brief sentence:
"I just did my duty."
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The West Bengal Police are currently questioning the two accused in custody and will locate the others shortly. They have also reassured that the remaining chunk of the loot will be retrieved too. Police have increased patrols in the area and are reviewing CCTV material to identify the remaining suspects.
