Cooch Behar, Aug. 28 -- Tension prevailed in Tufanganj-2 block on Friday after local residents blocked a state highway demanding the immediate arrest of a Trinamool Congress booth president accused of raping a minor girl. Protesters burned tyres and staged a road blockade on the Tufanganj-Haripur state highway, disrupting traffic on the Tufanganj-Kamakhyaguri route and causing a major traffic jam.
According to local sources, a complaint has been lodged against local Trinamool booth president Charan Roy in connection with the alleged rape of a minor. The victim's family submitted a written complaint to the police on Thursday. Residents alleged that Roy has been absconding since the incident and claimed that no arrest had been made despite the complaint.
On Friday, local residents of Tufanganj-2 block took to the streets demanding Roy's immediate arrest and strict legal action.
Protesters burned tyres and sat on the highway, bringing traffic movement on the route to a virtual standstill.
On receiving information, personnel from Boxirhat Police Station reached the spot and spoke with the protesters.
The police assured them that the matter would be investigated and appropriate legal action taken. Following the assurance, the blockade was lifted after around two hours at about 2 pm, and traffic movement gradually returned to normal.
BJP panchayat member Suman Barman said: "The incident involving the minor girl is extremely serious. The police should arrest the accused Trinamool booth president at the earliest." He also demanded strict punishment if the allegations
are proven.
Police said an investigation into the complaint is underway.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.