Status: Not Approved
Local resident and former councillor of Ward 16 of Howrah Municipal Corporation and vice-president of Howrah Trinamool Congress , Md Rustam, told TOI, “The murder occurred around 9 am on Wednesday at the crowded Pilkhana Bhoggu crossing on Pilkhana Second Lane, adjacent to GT Road (North) in North Howrah, 600 metres from Golabari police station. When Shafik fell on the road, he fired 2 more shots into his chest. Then, after firing 1 round in the air, Harun and his gang fled on bikes.
Because i stand by them in all their needs, in a way, all the residents of North Howrah are close to me. Protesters alleged that residing in the area became difficult due to Harun’s terror and said repeated complaints to police did not yield a solution.
Rustam further said the attack took place when Shafik went out to shop for Iftar during Ramadan. Shafik’s family members told me that Harun threatened Shafik for days, demanding large sums of money, but Shafik refused to pay the extortion money. Choudhury denied any close association with Harun and said he regularly meets thousands of people in rallies.
Pilkhana residents have threatened to boycott elections if the criminals are not arrested quickly. Harun and his gang attacked Shafik in front of a vermicelli shop. Shafik died on the spot. The entire incident was captured on CCTV. “For various party programmes and needs, I ride on different people’s bikes at different times. How would I know what someone is doing? I don’t have any close ties with anyone named Harun. The killing sparked tension in the area, with people blocking the road with the body and demanding the arrest of Harun and his gang. After police assured a prompt response, the protest and blockade ended after a long time.
Locals informed me that when an argument started over the extortion demand on Wednesday, Harun suddenly pulled out a firearm and shot Shafik in the head. When senior officers of Howrah City Police reached the spot on Wednesday, locals continued sloganeering in front of them.