Police’s bid to arrest a Hooghly goon, who has become so powerful that he has installed CCTV cameras in the locality to keep a watch on the movement of people in the area, sparked protests in Chinsurah on Saturday, with people blocking roads and closing down shops.

The residents of Rabindranagar, the stronghold of the goon Toton Biswas, blocked GT Road at several places, accusing the police of highhandedness and assault on innocent people during the raid on a birthday party to arrest Toton on Friday night. The protesters also accused the police of opening fire.

The agitators hurled bricks at the police when they tried to lift the roadblocks on Saturday morning. Cops brought the situation under control by lathicharging the mob and arresting 12 people.

Toton, one of whose associates fired a bullet that grazed a police officer’s arm, is absconding.