The body of a 10-year-old girl was discovered in marshy land in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Saturday, prompting local residents to set fire to a nearby police outpost. Villagers claimed that the minor, who had been missing since Friday evening, was raped and murdered, and accused the police of failing to act on their complaint promptly.
As the body of the girl was recovered by locals in the Jaynagar area early this morning, a mob set fire to the Mahismari police outpost and pelted the policemen with stones. They also vandalised several vehicles parked outside the outpost, forcing the policemen to leave the premises, a senior officer said.
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A large police force was sent to the area, and tear gas shells were fired to disperse the mob, which tried to confine the SDPO and other senior personnel at the spot, officials said.
“The family members of the girl lodged an FIR at the Mahismari outpost in the area but the police did not act on the complaint immediately,” a local claimed. The police responded similarly to the situation following the discovery of a woman doctor’s body at R G Kar Hospital in August, as noted by another villager.
“We will continue our agitation till all those accused in the rape and murder of our minor daughter are punished. We also demand action against those who responded to the complaint late, which might have resulted in her death. Had the police acted promptly, the girl could have been rescued,” Ganesh Dolui, a local, said.
In contrast, the police stated that they acted immediately upon receiving the complaint, arresting a suspect linked to the alleged rape and murder of the girl.
“After lodging of FIR at 9 pm on Friday, police swung into action and arrested an accused this morning after an initial probe. Investigation is on and we are with the family of the deceased. Those involved in arson at the police outpost and destroying of all important documents will be identified and action will be taken against them,” the official added.
When Kultali TMC MLA Ganesh Mondal attempted to calm the villagers, he was chased away after locals accused him of supporting police inaction. Later, Mondal expressed understanding of the residents’ grievances and anger but urged them not to take the law into their own hands.
“Our party and I are with the aggrieved villagers and the parents of the child. I have requested the police to investigate the matter thoroughly, frame charges against the accused and do whatever is required to instil confidence among the people,” he said.
Taking to his official handle on X, West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar expressed shock over the incident, saying, “A Class 4 girl was forcibly lifted, raped and murdered while returning from tuition. The women of Bengal are not safe. They are being killed even during Devi Paksha (the 15 period heralding the advent of goddess Durga since Mahalaya).” “West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has failed to ensure the safety of women,” he said on X.
Meanwhile, the BJP held a demonstration in the Salt Lake area against the alleged rape and murder of the girl, raising slogans of “Dhikkar Dhikkar” (we condemn) directed at the police personnel.