Tensions are high in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, after the body of a Class 4 girl was discovered in a canal, leading to accusations of rape and murder. Local residents claim she was assaulted while returning home from tuition classes in Kripakhali.
The girl was reported missing on Friday evening, prompting her parents to notify the police by 9 PM. An FIR was filed shortly after midnight, resulting in the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of her body from the riverbank.
Baruipur Superintendent of Police Palash Dhali confirmed, “We initiated our investigation immediately and filed an FIR by midnight. The suspect has been arrested, and the body was recovered.” Authorities are now looking into whether the child was sexually assaulted prior to her death.
The incident has provoked strong condemnation from state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar, who criticized the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government for its failure to ensure public safety. He questioned Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s ability to protect women, stating, “How many more Bengali girls will have to endure this fate?”
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla also targeted the TMC government, alleging systemic issues in addressing violence against women. Following the discovery of the girl’s body, local protests escalated, with villagers clashing with police at the Kultali police station, accusing them of ignoring complaints due to political pressures.
The investigation is ongoing, and the body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. This tragic event adds to the growing unrest in the state, especially in light of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College on August 9, which has spurred protests among medical professionals calling for justice and enhanced safety measures.
West Bengal’s protesting resident doctors announce hunger strike until demands are met
Junior doctors in Kolkata have begun a fast unto death, protesting the West Bengal government’s inaction regarding their demands for improved hospital security following the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
The protest started with a sit-in at Dorina Crossing on Friday, where the doctors issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government to address their concerns. They had previously suspended a 42-day agitation on September 21 after negotiations with officials.
“We are resuming our duties but will not eat anything until our demands are met,” a junior doctor stated. Six doctors—Snigdha Hazra, Tanaya Panja, Anustup Mukhopadhyay, Arnab Mukhopadhyay, Pulastha Acharya, and Sayantani Ghosh Hazra—have committed to the hunger strike, warning that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government will be held accountable for their wellbeing.
The doctors allege that police denied permission for a protest dais and used force against peaceful demonstrators. In response, Kolkata police cited heavy traffic in the area and urged anyone affected by police action to file complaints.
Among their nine demands, the most contentious is the removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam. Other requests include establishing a centralized referral system, implementing a bed vacancy monitoring system, and creating task forces to ensure necessary amenities like CCTV and on-call rooms in hospitals.
The investigation into the case is currently being handled by the CBI.
BJP holds demonstrations criticizing the state government
West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose criticized the state government on Saturday for its alleged failure to take timely action, contributing to a rise in rape cases. His comments followed public outrage over the recent alleged rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl.
Bose stated, “The inept handling of the RG Kar Medical College incident is encouraging similar gruesome acts.” He emphasized that decisive action against perpetrators is essential to combat violence and protect citizens.
“The current government shows no effective strategy to address violence, which is troubling,” he added. He called for the government to recognize that “prevention is better than cure.”
The situation escalated earlier in the day, with locals setting fire to a police outpost and vandalizing vehicles after the girl’s body was discovered in Jaynagar. Police have arrested one person in connection with the case.
