Daijiworld Media Network- Midnapore
Midnapore, May 25: In a shocking and heart-wrenching incident that has shaken the residents of Midnapore town, a lottery ticket seller was set ablaze by unidentified miscreants in broad daylight on Saturday. The heinous act took place in West Midnapore district of West Bengal, leaving the victim battling for his life.
The victim, identified as Surajit Sau, was seated at his usual roadside lottery stall when a group of three miscreants reportedly arrived on a motorcycle. In a matter of moments, the assailants doused him with petrol and set him on fire before fleeing the scene, eyewitnesses revealed.
Caught in flames, the terrified Sau ran frantically through the narrow lanes, his cries for help echoing through the locality. The area, packed with parked vehicles and bystanders, narrowly avoided a larger tragedy.
Speaking, a local youth who witnessed the incident said, “He was running wildly, completely engulfed in flames. We quickly gathered water and managed to put the fire out with the help of a few brave youths.”
Following the incident, police personnel and emergency services rushed to the scene. The victim was initially taken to a local hospital and later shifted to a specialized facility in Kolkata due to the severity of his burn injuries. As per reports, Sau remains in a critical condition.
Preliminary investigations have unearthed a disturbing angle — locals informed the police that Sau had earlier complained of receiving ransom threats from local goons who allegedly demanded money for letting him operate his small business.
“The attackers were possibly known to the victim. We are scanning CCTV footage from the locality and conducting a detailed investigation,” an officer from the investigation team told.
Meanwhile, the incident has sparked political outrage. Local BJP leaders have come forward, alleging a sharp rise in anti-social activities across Midnapore. “Despite repeated complaints, the police have failed to curb criminal activities in the town,” a BJP representative stated.
The horrifying attack has left the town in disbelief, and residents are demanding swift justice and stronger police action to ensure the safety of common citizens going about their daily lives.