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Fire department personnel beaten up by taxi driver

28 November 2012

statesman news service

KOLKATA, 28 NOV: A personnel of the state fire and emergency services department was beaten up by a taxi driver for protesting against illegal parking.

The incident occurred outside the Headquarters Fire Station on Mirza Ghalib Street this evening. Mr Aftab Alam was on sentry duty. He had objected when Mohammed Nasim parked his taxi outside the fire station, which is a no parking zone. An argument ensued when Mr Alam asked the driver to remove the vehicle. In the midst of the argument, the driver shifted the vehicle into reverse and hit Mr Alam, who received injuries on his leg. The driver then proceeded to beat up Mr Alam.

Mr Nasim also assaulted a passerby who tried to stop him from beating up the personnel. The driver hit Mr Shoiab Alam when he tried to catch the former, and fled with the vehicle.   

Both the injured persons were taken to SSKM Hospital. Doctors said the fire service personnel received severe injuries on his nose. He was discharged from the hospital late at night.  

Police spoke to the victims and took the description of the taxi driver. The fire department officials also provided the taxi’s registration number. A search for the taxi driver was initiated. Mr Nasim was arrested from his residence in Alimuddin street late tonight.

Mr Tapan Ghosh, Deputy Director (headquarters) of the state Fire and Emergency Services Department, said parking of vehicles outside the fire station often create problems as they get in the way of fire tenders which are responding to emergencies. “I hope polce take necessary steps against the driver and ensure no one parks vehicles outside the fire station in future,” he said.