Police avert hostage crisis in Bengal school, disarm gun-wielding man

Panic gripped the students of Muchia Anchal Chandra Mohan High School at Old Malda in the district

In a bizarre incident, an armed man entered a high school classroom in West Bengal’s Malda district on Wednesday.

The man shouted and allegedly threatened to kill the students. A possible tragedy was averted when police overpowered the armed person. The person also carried “two bottles of liquid” with him, sources added.

The situation turned panicky in the packed classroom till the police got him in control.

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, addressing a press conference in Kolkata, praised the police and expressed satisfaction over the safety of children and teachers. She said that a hostage crisis was averted by the timely intervention of the police.

Banerjee suggested that the school committee can keep a watch, seek cooperation from police, and identity cards may be utilised.