Kolkata: Police on Thursday started a probe into complaints of vandalism of a Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose statue at the Battala three-point crossing in New Alipore.Some local residents claimed they discovered the damaged statue in the morning. Its right hand was broken, allegedly by unidentified miscreants under cover of darkness.The incident sparked unrest, with BJP workers and supporters gathering at the site. Party leaders condemned it as a “deliberate attempt to dishonour the iconic freedom fighter” and announced plans to lodge a complaint at New Alipore Police Station.Tarak Bandyopadhyay, secretary of the BJP’s South Kolkata unit, termed the act suspicious and politically significant, demanding a thorough probe.Police visited the spot and began investigating. However, an officer said locals, including a tea seller and a paan seller, told them the hand had been damaged at least two months ago due to natural causes. The officer said the Indian flag had been placed on the bust by party workers.The incident came hours after chief minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a zero-tolerance policy against disrespect toward Netaji in Bengal and warned of strict legal action against anyone insulting the freedom fighter.
