Contractor shot by extortionists

KOLKATA: A 39-year-old contractor of astate-owned telephone service provider, Subrata Halder, was shot dead at DumDum's Gorakhbasi Road on Friday evening. Police said around 6 pm onFriday, a man came to Subrata Halder's house at Dum Dum's Nagendranath Road andcalled him. The former took Halder on his bike near a temple at Gorakhbasi Roadon a bike, where a few others were waiting for them. Soon, analtercation broke out between Halder and the rest. Following that, theassailants shot Halder about five times from point-blank range before fleeing.He was taken to Dum Dum municipal hospital, where he was declared dead.Barrackpore additional SP P.K Tripathy along with other seniorofficials from Dum Dum police station rushed to the spot. Locals staged anagitation, protesting the area has become a den of extortionists.The police have arrested a local tough, Toton, for masterminding themurder. "The principal accused have been arrested. Raids are on tonab the rest of the gang," said North 24 Parganas superintendent of policeSupratim Sarkar. Prima facie, the cops said the murder was afallout of a failed extortion bid. Halder used to run a business and had hiredseveral people for work. Local people said a few months ago, Totondemanded a hefty sum from Halder. When he refused, Toton and his associatesbarged into his house, beat up Halder's family and damaged his furniture. Halderhad lodged a complaint, but later withdrew it following pressure from toughs.Police said that the same gang was involved in the murder.