Kolkata, Nov. 9 -- Police in West Bengal have been given a free hand to deal with suspects in rape and murder cases, narcotics trade and infiltration from Bangladesh, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Monday hours after a 47-year-old man accused of raping and murdering a minor girl in North Dinajpur district was killed in a police encounter.

"Will police treat their attackers with rasgullas? What are their guns meant for?" Adhikari said at a government event in East Midnapore district, around six hours after the North Dinajpur encounter.

The chief minister said, "I have given clear instructions. Officers can take any action they deem fit when it comes to infiltration from Bangladesh, trade and smuggling of drugs and narcotic subst...