Violence erupts at Jaynagar in West Bengal over allegations of rape and murder of a nine year old- NSP NEWS

Irate villagers block a road as they stage a protest after an incident of alleged rape and murder of a young village girl in the Kultali area of South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, on October 5, 2024
| Photo Credit: PTI

Violence erupted at Jaynagar in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas on Saturday (October 5, 2024) after the body of a nine-year-old girl was found in Mahismari area.

The family members of the child and villagers alleged that the child was sexually assaulted and then killed. Angry locals ransacked the Mahismari police outpost and set police vehicles on fire.

The villagers blocked roads and clashed with police. The police fired tear gas shells and resorted to disperse the mob. The locals were also seen chasing away the local Trinamool Congress MLA Ganesh Mondal. Video footage was telecast by local news channels of the violence where locals armed with sticks and batons ransacked the police outpost.

Villagers set on fire a local police camp in Kultali area of South 24 Parganas district
| Photo Credit:
PTI

The child’s father said that she had gone to take private tuition on Friday (October 4, 2024) evening but did not return home on time. The body of the girl was found about one km away from their house.

The villagers said that the police did not take their allegations seriously when the family approached them after the child went missing. After the child went mission the family the police outpost at Mahismari police outpost but were asked to approach Kultali police station. The family members had to visit several police stations before a missing complaint was filed.

The people of the area said that the child could have been saved had the police acted in time. One person has been arrested in connection with the crime. A huge contingent of police was deployed in the area to contain thr situation. The place where the body was recovered had been identified and secured. The body has been sent for post mortem. Local Trinamool Congress leaders including Jaynagar MP Pratima Mondal faced ‘go back’ slogans when they visited a local hospital where the body was kept.

With the villagers seething in anger, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership called for the gheao of the Kultali police station.

Supporters of the opposition parties held protests in Jaynagar and Kolkata. BJP leader Agnimitra Pal and CPI(M) leader Meenakshi Mukherjee held protests outside a hospital at Jaynagar. The BJP supporters organised processions and blocked roads in the city demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over sexual assault on women.

The incident comes at a time when protests are already raging over the rape and murder of the doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in August this year. Resident doctors are still on the streets demanding justice for the victim as well safety at workplace.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said that the West Bengal government has not learnt anything from the R.G. Kar rape and murder.

“The whole situation could have been avoided if the Police could have just done their duty yesterday.

“The State Government, Administration, and top cops are always paying lip service to how the State is safe for women and how CCTVs are being installed. Preparedness is being increased to enhance women’s safety. In reality, no one still monitors the CCTVs when it is required in real-time, and the Police are just planning how to suppress any spontaneous protest with brute force,” Mr. Adhikari said.