Parking contractor, aide injured in Shalimar station chopper attack

Howrah: A parking-zone contractor and his staffers were attacked with choppers at Shalimar station on Sunday night after allegedly refusing an extortion demand of Rs 50,000. The assault, which took place at the parking area, was captured on CCTV cameras.According to police and other workers in the parking zone, the prime accused, Vicky Pandey, and his associate Sankar Pandey had allegedly been demanding Rs 50,000 from contractor Joginder Shaw as ‘Rangila Tax' for a long time but the latter had refused to pay. On Sunday night, an argument reportedly broke out over the demand, after which, on Vicky's instructions, Sankar and others attacked Joginder with choppers. Raju Shaw, an employee of Joginder, was also injured while trying to intervene.Police have registered a case against the accused under multiple sections, including attempted murder, extortion and provisions of the Arms Act, and have started an investigation. Police said Vicky and Sankar, along with others, are absconding. Joginder and Raju were taken to Howrah District Hospital in an unconscious condition and later shifted to a private hospital.Masud Alam Khan, a local BJP leader, alleged Vicky was backed by South Howrah Trinamool MLA Nandita Choudhury but Choudhury denied any connection.