Tension gripped the Chakdighata area near Barasat in North 24-Parganas on Friday after a 45-year-old Imam of a local mosque was run over by a lorry. The deceased has been identified as Sheikh Mehboob.

Angry locals damaged the lorry and pelted stones at the police, claiming that they arrived late. Four policemen, including an assistant sub-inspector, were injured. A Rapid Action Force (RAF) team was later called in to control the situation.

According to the police, the Imam was crossing a bridge over the Suti river, when a speeding lorry coming from the opposite direction hit his bicycle and he fell down. He was taken to a local hospital where doctors declared him on arrival.

“The ASP, Barasat, and the SDPO visited the spot. They were there till the situation was brought under control. The RAF was deployed to control the situation,” said Rahul Srivastav, SP, North 24-Parganas. The driver is absconding.