One arrested for attempt to set Writers’ on fire

statesman news service
KOLKATA, 30 NOV: One person was arrested and four others were detained today in connection with Friday’s alleged attempt to set ablaze Writers’ Buildings.
Police sources said tonight that a man, identified only as Mr Nandi, said to be a Group D employee at Writers’, has been held from Serampore. They did not, however, say what role he played in the alleged arson bid.
Mr Basudeb Banerjee, Home Secretary, earlier told reporters at Nabanna that nearly all the detainees were government employees but declined to elaborate.
A senior police officer said six state government employees were interrogated in this connection. One of the employees, whose names cannot be revealed as the matter is still being investigated, is a caretaker and the remaining five are posted in the office of the Registrar of Publication of the state Home Department, the officer said.
Police interrogated the caretaker as he was responsible for opening and locking the room situated on the top floor in G block at Writers’ Buildings.
As they were supposed to be present in the room till 5 p.m., it was expected that they might have noticed if somebody was loitering suspiciously in the area or if someone had entered the room. The police questioned the caretaker as to why the room was left open even after the employees had left the office. The others were asked whether they had seen kerosene spread all over the floor, books and documents when they left the office.
Police came to know from the constable and the assistant engineer of the state Public Works Department who had first noticed that kerosene had been poured over several books and files in the room, that there was no one inside when they entered.
"If necessary, we will interrogate some other officials, including those who were interrogated today," said a senior police officer adding that the police are also going through the CCTV footage. 
A team of forensic officials visited the spot and collected samples. A report is will be submitted soon, said a forensic department official.

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