National Highway-19 (NH-19) has always been one of the primary arteries of the country's economic dynamism. On one hand, goods-carrying lorries, long-distance buses, and a stream of various vehicles run day and night, keeping the country's trade and communication systems active; while on the other hand, right beside it, many ordinary workers step out for night duty in the darkness of night driven by the compulsion to earn their daily bread. But if a reign of terror descends with the fall of night on this very busy and important national highway, whose shoulders bear the responsibility for the safety of ordinary people? The recent hair-raising incident of a night guard or worker being shot near the DPS (Delhi Public School) area has once again brought this question strongly to the forefront. The manner in which firearms were openly used against a working citizen while trying to prevent a serious crime like robbery is not merely an isolated criminal incident, but rather presents a horrific and alarming picture of the law and order situation in the entire area.
According to the details of the incident, Haridas Layak (43), a resident of Dhaguri in Alladi Panchayat under Salanpur police station, was going on his motorcycle for night duty to Srihari Global School in Asansol as per his daily routine. But he could never have imagined in his wildest dreams that this familiar route would take on such a terrifying form. Upon reaching the area near Salanpur's Delhi Public School, three masked miscreants riding a motorcycle attempted to block his path. Before he could understand the situation in a fraction of a second, the criminals tried to snatch his valuables and bag from him. However, Haridas was not just an ordinary worker; his honesty and courage were commendable. He strongly protested this unethical act by the miscreants and tried with all his might to resist the attempted robbery. And that is precisely when ultimate disaster struck. Enraged by the resistance, the miscreants turned violent instantly. It is alleged that they fired two consecutive shots targeting Haridas. One of these bullets directly hit his leg, and he collapsed on the street in a bloody state.
Usually, any person's morale would shatter in such a sudden situation. But Haridas Layak displayed unique courage. Even after being shot, he did not panic. Lying fallen on the ground, he attempted to capture a video of the attackers on his mobile phone so that the criminals could be easily identified in the future. Seeing this unexpected and courageous resistance, the miscreants also panicked. Realizing that the local situation was turning unfavorable and failing to completely overpower Haridas, the accused fled the spot.
As news of this incident spread, intense excitement and deep panic gripped the area. Breaking the silence of the night, a police force from Salanpur police station rushed to the spot upon receiving the news. The bleeding and writhing Haridas Layak was quickly rescued and admitted to the local ESI hospital for treatment. Doctors have stated that although his injuries are serious, he is currently under treatment and medical supervision. The police reached the spot, conducted a search, and recovered an empty cartridge, which proves how reckless and armed the miscreants were.
Realizing the gravity of this incident, the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate has sprung into action. Immediately after the incident, extensive naka-checking, intensified search operations, and scrutiny of all CCTV footage in the area have begun. Top police officials themselves have taken to the field to apprehend the criminals quickly. Police Commissioner Dr. Pranab Kumar, DC West Sana Akhtar, DC Central Dhruba Das, and other senior officials inspected the scene and initiated a thorough investigation into the entire incident.
However, the question that has loomed largest in the public mind ever since this incident is—if miscreants roam around waving weapons in the darkness of night on such a busy and important highway like the National Highway, where indeed is the guard for the safety of ordinary people? Will the night guards of the industrial belt and its surrounding areas, or those who travel to various establishments on night shifts, thus venture out onto the roads facing extreme risks? Intense speculation is now underway as to how such an incident occurred slipping through the gaps in police patrolling and security arrangements. Local residents have demanded immediate and strict punishment for the culprits, alongside a strong demand for further strengthening night security on the national highway.
