Kolkata, July 6 -- The rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur snowballed into a political confrontation on Monday, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari promising to seek capital punishment for those found guilty and warning of stern action against those behind Sunday's violence, while the opposition Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M), both of which sent delegations to meet the victim's family, questioned the role of the police.
Describing the crime as one "of unspeakable horror", Adhikari said his government would ensure justice for the family. Speaking in Kolkata, he said he had spoken to the girl's parents, who had conveyed their demands to the government.
"We will surely provide justice to the family. But we will also make those frustrated souls, who locked themselves up after losing the elections and orchestrated the violence, suffer beyond their imagination," the Chief Minister said, referring to the unrest that followed the recovery of the girl's body.
He said three cases had been registered over the violence, including the lynching of a youth, damage to railway tracks, the assault on two CRPF personnel and the torching of a police vehicle.
Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister Agnimitra Paul hit back at Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee's allegation that she had been prevented from visiting the victim's family. Accusing Banerjee of attempting to politicise the tragedy, Paul questioned why she should not be stopped if her visit was intended to incite unrest. She alleged that the previous Trinamool Congress government had sought to suppress crimes against women during its 15 years in office and asserted that the present government would ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible.
Meanwhile, in a post on X, the Trinamool Congress accused Adhikari of failing to visit the bereaved family and alleged that the victim's parents had initially been asked to meet him at Bhabani Bhavan. It further claimed that the Chief Minister had deferred meeting the family because of political engagements, accusing the BJP leadership of placing politics ahead of the victim's family.
A Trinamool Congress delegation led by former Assembly Speaker and Baruipur Dakshin MLA Biman Banerjee, Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen and Joynagar MP Pratima Mondal visited the victim's family despite prohibitory orders. The visit came a day after the party alleged that heavy police deployment outside Mamata Banerjee's residence on Sunday prevented her from travelling to Baruipur. Police remained deployed outside her residence even on Monday. Biman Banerjee alleged that police had failed to act promptly in tracing the accused, forcing residents to stage spontaneous protests. Dola Sen said the family had spoken to Mamata Banerjee on Sunday and again on Monday, while Pratima Mondal said the Trinamool Congress would extend all necessary assistance and appealed to the government to maintain law and order.
A CPI(M) delegation led by Sujan Chakraborty and Shamik Lahiri also visited the victim's home. Condemning the crime, Chakraborty demanded swift justice and questioned the role of the police. While welcoming the Chief Minister's assurance of action, he said the government must now ensure that its promises translate into justice and praised local residents for protesting against the incident, irrespective of
political affiliation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.