Kolkata (IANS) | The situation turned tense on Tuesday in parts of Kaliaganj in West Bengal’s North Dinajpur district following violent protests by locals against the alleged rape and murder of a teenage girl last week. Tension was prevailing in the area for some time, which erupted on Tuesday. An angry mob set a local police station on fire and also torched some police vehicles. Sources said some policemen received minor injuries.
It is learned that a local pressure group, allegedly backed by the BJP, started the protest in front of Kaliaganj police station on Tuesday. The protest was announced in advance and the police had put up three-tier barricades in front of the police station.
District police officials claimed that initially the protest was peaceful, but the situation turned violent after some protesters tried to break barricades. To bring the situation under control, the police had to resort to lathi charge and lob tear gas shells.
Some protesters reportedly scaled barricades, entered the police station and destroyed public property. They also set the police station on fire and set ablaze some police vehicles.
Meanwhile, a political tussle has started in the state regarding the violence.
The BJP has claimed that the police resorted to an unprovoked attack on the ‘peaceful’ movement. The ruling Trinamool Congress has accused the saffron forces of destabilizing the law and order situation in the area over an unfortunate incident.
On April 21, the body of a 17-year-old girl was found in a canal in Kaliyaganj. Accusing her of rape and murder, the locals blocked roads besides setting ablaze some shops. A large number of police forces had to be sent to the area to bring the situation under control.
Four ASIs have been suspended in connection with the death of the minor girl, who were seen dragging the body of the teenager.
The victim’s family has already approached the Calcutta High Court demanding a CBI inquiry into the incident.
–IANS
