Tensions escalate after sexual assault of minor, nurse; police, RAF deployed in North 24 Parganas

In the wake of public outrage over the recent rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, West Bengal has been rocked by two more disturbing incidents of sexual violence. In Birbhum district, a nurse was allegedly molested by a patient during a routine procedure at a hospital in the Illambazar area. The nurse reported that the patient inappropriately touched her and verbally abused her when confronted. The accused was subsequently arrested after she lodged a police complaint.

Meanwhile, in North 24 Parganas district, a minor girl was reportedly sexually assaulted in the Rajbari area of Rohanda panchayat. The girl’s father recounted that his nine-year-old daughter was attacked while she was on her way to his shop. The incident has sparked widespread anger, with locals staging protests outside the home of the accused. The situation escalated when a local Trinamool Congress leader allegedly advised the victim’s family to “settle the matter,” further igniting public fury. The leader, who is the husband of a panchayat member, became a target of the mob, leading to vandalism of his home and a relative’s shop in Madhyamgram. Authorities were forced to deploy police and Rapid Action Force personnel, using tear gas to disperse the crowd. The accused in the sexual assault case has been arrested.

These incidents have added to the mounting tensions in West Bengal, highlighting the need for swift and decisive action against perpetrators of sexual violence.

Mob vandalises house of panchayat committee member in Bengal for molesting girl

A mob vandalised the house of a panchayat member in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district for allegedly molesting a 10-year-old girl, police said on Sunday. A senior police officer said the accused was arrested on Sunday morning and a strong police picket was posted at Rajbari area of Rohanda panchayat of the district.

The girl was allegedly molested by the accused on Saturday evening. She narrated her ordeal to her family members, who accompanied by other villagers accosted the accused. Enraged by the response of the accused, the mob vandalised the house of the accused and a shop owned by his brother in the area, the officer said, adding police had to burst tear gas shells to chase away the crowd.

The accused was initially taken to the local police station and arrested on Sunday, the officer said. The girl's father said, "Why can't there be a safe environment for every girl every woman? After the R G Kar incident, the administration should take note there is not a single abuse against women. We demand strict punishment against the person who molested my daughter, a class three student."