A Class 4 girl has been tragically raped and murdered while returning home from tuition in the Kripakhali village of West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with her body discovered on the banks of the River Ganges on Saturday morning.
Missing Report and Investigation
The girl was reported missing on Friday evening, prompting her parents to alert the police by 9 PM. An official case was lodged by midnight. According to senior police officials, an investigation was promptly initiated. Baruipur Superintendent of Police (SP) Palash Dhali stated, “We were informed about the girl going missing at 9 pm. We started an investigation and identified an accused. An FIR was lodged by midnight. We arrested the accused and then the body was recovered.”
Discovery of the Body
The girl’s body was ultimately recovered from the riverbank following the arrest of a suspect. SP Dhali assured that despite their efforts, if there were any grievances among the public regarding the investigation, they would be addressed.
Political Reactions
The incident has sparked outrage among political leaders, particularly from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). State BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar expressed his shock over social media, criticizing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government for its handling of law and order issues in West Bengal. He wrote, “Stunned! A minor student of class IV was brutally raped and murdered on her way back from tuition in the Kripakhali area of Kultali Police station. Later, the villagers recovered the body of the little girl from the river bed. My question to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who failed to protect women, is, will there be no relief for the girls of Bengal even at the beginning of Devi Paksha? How many more Bengali girls will suffer this fate in your misrule?”
Community Response
The local community has been deeply affected by this heinous crime. Many residents have expressed their outrage and sorrow over social media platforms and in local gatherings. The tragic loss of a young life has reignited discussions about safety for women and children in West Bengal.As investigations continue, authorities are under pressure to ensure justice for the victim and her family while addressing public concerns regarding safety in their communities.