The ones from Howrah in West Bengal that everyone’s sharing on their phones. Police actually took some of these so-called local criminals, shaved their heads, cuffed them, and walked them through their own neighborhoods wearing just underwear and a thin vest. No pants, nothing. It’s wild, uncomfortable, and honestly, it’s got the whole state talking over chai and in WhatsApp groups.
One of the main guys is this fellow Akash Singh. People around North Howrah knew him as the big don – the kind who could make life hell for shopkeepers, families, whoever crossed his path. Extortion, fights, old cases where he supposedly shot at cops or threw bombs during some clash back in 2021. For years, folks said these types had some political cover, so they roamed like they owned the place. Women avoided certain lanes after dark, small businesses paid “protection” money quietly, and nobody really complained out loud. You know how it goes in some pockets of our cities.
But after the elections and the shift in power, things seem to have flipped. The police picked up Akash and a couple others for what they called “crime scene reconstruction.” That’s the official talk – taking them back to the spots where the crimes happened to figure things out properly. But the way it looked on camera? It was like a public warning. They marched him through narrow lanes like Malipanchghara and Golabari, barefoot, head bowed, freshly shaved head catching the light. Crowds gathered fast. Phones came out. And just like that, the clips spread everywhere.
There were others too. Shamim Ahmed, who had some local political links before, and Shahin Molla, known in some circles as a smaller operator. They walked with ropes around their waists in some videos, looking completely stripped of that old swagger. Police say these guys were part of the organized trouble that made life tough for regular people. The message feels clear: your protection is gone, the fear you spread. Now everyone sees you like this.
I“These boys turned our area into a nightmare,” he told me. “You couldn’t even run a small kirana shop without them demanding cuts. Girls were scared to step out. Seeing them paraded like this… it feels like justice, finally.” A lot of older uncles and aunties in the locality seem to feel the same. it’s a release after all the silent frustration.
But not everyone’s cheering. Lots of voices, especially from the other political side, are calling it a total circus and a cheap stunt. They say even criminals deserve basic dignity. Turning the streets into a show might win cheers now but could hurt the case later or make some folks pity the accused. One opposition leader basically shouted that police shouldn’t stoop this low.
It reminds me of those stories from other states – remember when police in some places made pickpockets do sit-ups or stand with ears pulled like naughty kids? This feels more intense, though. Supporters say when the law and order was broken for so long, you sometimes need this kind of strong, visible action to break the cycle of fear. These aren’t petty thieves; they’re accused of running mini terror networks. By showing the public that the big guys are now helpless, it tells their gangs and others: times have changed.
The timing is everything here. Bengal has had these talks about musclemen and goons for over a decade. Many felt certain areas became no-go because of political backing to the wrong people. After the new setup came in, promises were made to clean things up. Police folks, in off-the-record chats with reporters, mentioned they wanted to do solid investigation work but also show scared citizens that something is actually happening now. One officer apparently said they’re reclaiming the streets for the common man.
Watching those shaky videos on my phone, Part of me thinks – yeah, these guys caused so much pain, let them taste a bit of it. But the other part feels uneasy. They’re still humans. Their mothers and sisters must be crying at home seeing this. Neighbors who once lowered their eyes in fear might now laugh or point fingers. What message does it send to the kids growing up there? That power flips and then you get shamed publicly? It’s complicated.
Social media is a total warzone over it. One side is posting memes, fire emojis, and “about time!” comments. The other side shares the same clips with heavy lines about police excess and selective targeting. Some videos show people just watching silently, others whispering or even cheering a little. It’s real Bengal street energy – messy, emotional, captured live on mobiles.
Beyond the shock, this makes you think bigger. Public shaming might scare a few straight, but does it respect the idea that justice should be fair and not a spectacle? Our courts have stepped into similar things before. Maybe there will be petitions or cases filed soon questioning if this was right.
For the everyday people in Howrah – the teachers rushing to school, the rickshaw guys, the young couples wanting normal life – there’s a quiet hope now. One local youngster posted something like, “We just want to breathe freely. No sudden gang fights, no monthly ‘donations’.” Police seem more active, doing more rounds, making arrests. But let’s not kid ourselves – this isn’t magic. Crime comes from joblessness, bad politics, easy access to weapons and money. Showing a few big names in underwear grabs attention, but real fixing needs steady investigations, quick courts, and building trust with communities.
Those videos will probably stop trending in a week or so. But the conversations? They’ll keep going – in tea stalls, family dinners, office corners. Is this the start of something stricter in the state? Or just a one-off to send a loud message?
In the end, it’s a reminder that power doesn’t last forever. Yesterday’s kings of the street can end up walking in their chaddis as today’s example. The people who suffered the most are watching, hoping this brings real peace and not just a short show. For regular folks like us across India, these stories hit home because safety in our areas matters more than any politics.
Sources :
- NDTV and India Today reports on the videos and the accused guys’ backgrounds
- The Indian Express pieces covering the human rights side and controversy
- Telegraph India on local details about Akash Singh and reactions from people there
- Some verified shares on X and Instagram
