A chilling incident of kidnapping and sexual assault has sent shockwaves through West Bengal, further fueling the ongoing protests against violence against women. A 15-year-old girl was abducted and assaulted while returning home from tuition classes in Hooghly district on Friday night, September 6th. The girl was found unconscious with torn clothes at Haripal in Hooghly district. She has been admitted to a local hospital where a medical examination was conducted. The West Bengal Police have registered a complaint and initiated an investigation.
This incident comes just a month after the brutal rape and murder of a PG trainee doctor in Kolkata sparked widespread outrage and protests across the state. Scheduled for September 8th, the protests are a direct response to the growing concerns over the safety of women in West Bengal.
The West Bengal Police have urged the public to respect the privacy of the victim and her family and have warned against spreading rumors. However, BJP IT Cell leader Amit Malviya has accused the police of a cover-up, alleging that they have cordoned off the hospital, denied access to the media, and are attempting to suppress the incident. Malviya has also criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her handling of the situation, stating that West Bengal is the most unsafe place for women and girls. He has demanded Banerjee’s resignation, accusing her of failing to address the issue and not even setting up fast-track courts to deal with rape and POCSO cases.
In a separate incident, the West Bengal Police reported another case of molestation involving a 16-year-old girl who was abused at home by a house repair worker named Sanaullah Khan. The incident occurred in the Arambagh Police District area of Hooghly (Rural) Police District. Khan threatened the girl with consequences if she reported the assault. However, after four months, the girl revealed she was pregnant as a result of the abuse. A case was registered under the POCSO Act at the Arambagh police station in September 2021, leading to the arrest and custody of the accused pending trial.
These incidents paint a grim picture of the prevailing safety concerns for women in West Bengal. With the state gearing up for massive protests, the government faces growing pressure to address the issue and ensure that justice is served. The call for change echoes through the streets, demanding concrete action to combat the rising tide of violence and create a safe environment for women in the region.
