A local police camp in India was torched by a mob on Saturday, just hours after the alleged rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl came to light.
The family of the girl, from the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, had earlier filed a complaint with the local police station, saying she had not returned home after her classes Friday evening, according to the news agency. Press Trust of India.
The body of the nine-year-old girl from Joynagar in South 24 Parganas district was found in a nearby pond in the early hours of Saturday.
“She came to my store at the local market around 5 p.m., on her way home from school. But when I returned home in the evening, I was told that she never returned home,” the girl’s father told reporters.
“We started looking for her. Later, her body was found about a kilometer from our home,” he said, according to the Hindustan Times.
Villagers claim the girl was raped and murdered, accusing police of failing to promptly respond to their initial complaint.
This comes just weeks after a 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal’s capital Kolkata, triggering widespread protests across the country.
The state has witnessed thousands of protests over the past two months – some of which are still ongoing – demanding justice for victims and the safety of healthcare workers.
Meanwhile, when police entered the village to recover the girl’s body, they were heckled and an angry mob ransacked a police outpost before setting it on fire. Women also took to the streets armed with lathis, brooms and kitchen utensils.
“They also vandalized several vehicles parked outside the outpost and the police officers were forced to leave the area,” an official said. PTI.
Residents demanded action against the police officers who allegedly responded late to the complaint.
A large police force was sent to the village to quell the crowd of more than 200 people with tear gas shells.
Police deny allegations of negligence, saying one person had already been arrested in connection with the case.
“So far, one person has been arrested. It remains to be seen whether anyone else is involved. Efforts are underway to normalize the situation in the region. This is our priority,” a senior officer said, according to The Indian Express.
“We identified and arrested the accused and he also confessed. We took every step and acted quickly. However, if people have allegations, we will surely look into them as well,” he said.
Protests demanding women’s safety continued across West Bengal this week, coinciding with the start of the 10-day Hindu festival of Durga Puja.
Opposition political parties were quick to condemn the Trinamool Congress-led state government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
“Which Durga should we worship if our Durga at home is not safe? This is all because of Mamata Banerjee. She broadcast a message that [the police] not take the FIR easily,” said BJP leader Sukanto Majumdar.
