Kolkata: A policeman allegedly fired several rounds outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in central Kolkata’s busy Park Circus area on Friday afternoon, killing a woman before shooting himself dead, police said.
The woman, who was riding pillion on a two-wheeler, fell down after being hit by a bullet as the on-duty policeman kept firing from his rifle, triggering chaos in the congested area, they said. She died on the spot, while the policeman after firing a few rounds more shot himself in the head, they added.
The policeman, identified as Chodup Lepcha is from the 5th battalion of the Kolkata Police Armed Police, was posted to the Bangladesh High Commission. He resumed duty this morning after being on leave. He was suffering from depression. The identity of the woman is yet to be known.
“The whole episode lasted for around five minutes,” said a visibly shaken Bablu Sheikh, who claimed to have witnessed the incident. Preliminary investigations are underway, police said. The incident is not connected to the protests at Park Circus over the Prophet remarks row, the police added.