An anti-hawkers drive at the railway station in West Bengal's Malda town on Monday turned violent, as an RPF constable was stoned to death and two policemen were injured after hundreds of hawkers fought pitched battles with police.
"Enraged over the anti-hawking drive, a large number of hawkers attacked the RPF armoury and a food plaza. They also threw stones and cold drinks bottles at the RPF personnel leading to the death of constable S. Samanta," Malda divisional railway manager (DRM) Rajesh Argal said.
Two constables were injured in the attack, and police had to fire several rounds in the air to disperse the agitators.
Television channels aired footage of an RPF personnel being dragged, beaten up and chased by hawkers.
A large number of state police and RPF personnel were deployed at the station.
Claiming that police personnel have been snatching away their goods and also extorting money, the hawkers had earlier this month staged a demonstration outside the DRM office against the alleged police atrocities and demanded that they be allowed to carry on their business at the station.
Railway officials said there were 632 unauthorised hawkers at the station.
"We have explained to them in the past that we cannot allow unauthorised hawkers on the platform as per rules," Argal said.
