Kolkata: A man accused of shooting a police constable at Santiniketan in West Bengal's Birbhum district on November 13 was killed in a gunfight with police on Sunday, a senior officer said.
Ratan Sheikh was killed after he opened fire at a police team while trying to evade arrest at a brick kiln in Nanoor in the same district.
This was the fifth police encounter in West Bengal in six months since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the state.
The charge against Ratan Sheikh
Sheikh allegedly shot at constable Biswajit Das, injuring him in the leg, during an arrest attempt at Laik Bazar in Santiniketan police station area on November 13.
The accused is a history-sheeter who has since been absconding till the reported encounter.
CM Adhikari defends police action
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, while reacting to the development, told reporters, "If someone opens fire at the police, should the police offer them sweets?"
He asserted that criminals have no place in the state.
Adhikari warned criminals and those possessing illegal firearms to leave the state.
Speaking to ANI, Adhikari said Sheikh had opened fire at the police, following which the personnel took necessary action.
"He shot at the police, and the police did what needed to be done on the spot. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on this. There is no place for goons and rapists in West Bengal. Even now, whatever remaining goons and those with illegal arms are left, flee from here; leave immediately. There is no place for them here," the chief minister said.
(With inputs from PTI & ANI)
