Nanda Mondal, a security guard of the Raiganj subdivisional officer (SDO), was assaulted after he allegedly failed to pay Rs 15,000 as donation for Kali Puja.

The 3-year-old police constable said that in 2022 when he was constructing his house at Kalibari More on the outskirts of Raiganj town, some members of a local club had demanded from him a donation of Rs 20,000.

He had apparently told the group that he would pay “according to his capacity” next year.

"On Saturday night around 11 pm they came to me and demanded Rs 15,000 as chanda but I refused to pay. The group of around 12 then physically assaulted me, abused my wife and ransacked my residence,” said Mondal.

Kingshuk Maity, the SDO of Raiganj, said that the incident was shocking and that an attack on a policeman would send a wrong message to the general public.

Mondal immediately contacted him after the attack, he added.

"On receiving the message from my security guard, I immediately called the police and asked them to take necessary steps,” the SDO said.

Mondal received treatment at Raiganj Medical College and was later released.

His wife Sridevi filed a complaint at the police outpost. “We are scared and not feeling safe to stay here anymore,” she said.

Police sources said that they arrested four persons in this connection. However, two of the goons, including the main accused, are still absconding.

Sources said several incidents of forcible chanda collection were being reported from across the town. “Some have threatened a promoter and an owner of an eatery in Mohanbati area of the town,” said a source.

"Most of these incidents are not reported to us. If we are informed in time, it will be easier for us to bring it to the notice of the administration for necessary steps,” Sankar Kundu, the general secretary of the North Dinajpur Chamber of Commerce, said.