ON CAMERA: Gunman 'hijacks' state-run school in West Bengal, enters classroom with knife & acid to create panic

Panic gripped the students and teachers of a state-run school in West Bengal's Malda district on Wednesday after a man with firearms was seen barbing into the school with the intention to take the class hostage.

While the normal schedule of classes were being run in Muchia Anchal Chandra Mohan High School in Malda, a man with gun and petrol bombs entered a class and threatened the teacher and students that he would kill the students if anyone called the police. He also carried a knife that was tucked in his trousers, along with two bottles full of mercuric acid.

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After entering the classroom, the man placed the two bottles of acid on the teacher's table, eyewitnesses said.

He then raised his gun and claimed that while some people were telling him that his wife was of questionable character, some others told the same thing about him to his wife. He was also heard complaining that his son was suffering because of this.

Youths disarm him showing courage

As panic gripped the students, a couple of teachers and the local youth tactfully handled the situation. While the teachers got him engaged in a conversation and started persuading him to put down the gun for the safety of the students, a couple of youths pounced on him from behind and disarmed him.

Police were alerted

The local people then handed over the man, along with the gun, knife, and acid bottles to the police, who, led by district Superintendent of Police Pradeep Yadav, had reached the school premises.

Gunmen suspected of 'mental illness'

Yadav said the man has been identified as Raju Ballav, who is suspected to be suffering from some mental problem owing to some family feud.

"We will find out the details. It needs to be seen how he entered the school without being questioned," Yadav added.

CM calls it ‘not an act of lunacy’

Sensing conspiracy, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that it is ‘not an act of lunacy’.

“It is a conspiracy to unrest Bengal. It is a plot and may not be an act of lunacy. The police were very prompt and acted accordingly. The schools should take proper security. Maybe the school administration thought that he was a parent for which he was not stopped while entering. IT is an era of cyber crime and through phone a conspiracy can be hatched,” said Mamata.

(with agency inputs)