Overview
- The deceased was identified in most reports as Pankaj Barman, a civic volunteer posted at Mathabhanga police station in Cooch Behar, with some outlets spelling the surname as Burban.
- He fell ill on Sunday night with severe chest pain, and police and local reports cite a suspected cardiac arrest as colleagues say no doctor or ambulance was arranged despite requests.
- Trainees from multiple districts staged a protest inside the 12th Battalion camp, kept the body on the premises, and demanded an inquiry and accountability from on-duty personnel.
- Senior district police officials reached the site and said they are investigating, with questioning underway of those present at the camp.
- The camp is reported as Fulbari near Siliguri, with minor discrepancies on the exact administrative location, and the incident has renewed scrutiny of training conditions for West Bengal’s 1.24 lakh contractual civic volunteers.