West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday said that extremists and fundamentalists could be involved in instigating the mob that killed a man and attacked police in Baruipur near Kolkata last week after an 11-year-old girl was raped and murdered. He said he would follow up on the police investigation into the rape and murder case.
“Indrajit Mondal was targeted and killed because of his name and identity. The matter will not be classified as just a case of mob lynching. Those who were rejected in the elections played a major role behind the incitement of violence. Radical and mainstream groups are also behind it. I am not ruling it out. There was incitement by some individuals who were politically rejected. Extremist and far-left forces could be involved. Police are investigating the matter,” Adhikari said.
“There will be a custodial trial for the accused. The Prime Minister will monitor the investigation until the accused are convicted and the court orders are implemented. We want to set an example in this case. The government has provided some assistance to the family,” he said.
The 11-year-old girl’s body was recovered from a pond on July 5, the day after she disappeared. Initial investigations and the autopsy report indicate that she was raped and murdered. Following the incident, a man named Indrajit Tanti was lynched by a mob. Adhikari had earlier said that Mondal was found innocent.
Read also:Man lynched for rape of 12-year-old girl in Baruipur was innocent: CM Adhikari
Police arrested four people in connection with the rape and murder. One of them was killed in an encounter with police after he snatched a police gun and shot the police.
After the girl’s body was recovered, a mob allegedly attacked the police and the CAPF, a police vehicle was set on fire and railway tracks were damaged. Police have arrested about 40 people so far.
“Those who placed iron girders on railway tracks cannot be patriots. This was an anti-national act. We welcome the agitation as people should have the right to protest democratically. I have asked the police to ensure that innocent people are not harassed,” he said.
“Rapists, murderers and those who tried to uproot railway tracks should live in fear. This is quite normal. Our job is to teach them a legal lesson. No one should be afraid,” Adhikari said.
Adhikari met the two families for the second time on Saturday. He had met them earlier on Tuesday.
He gave Adhikari a cheque $25 lakh to Mondal’s parents. His eldest son got a job as a civilian volunteer with the state police. He will be posted at Suryapur police station, which was inaugurated on Saturday.
He added: “Some people remained behind the scenes and posted messages on mobile phones to incite the mob when the police were trying to defuse the tension. The police and the Canadian Armed Forces were attacked. The railway lines were blocked by iron girders. Mondal was identified and brutally murdered.”
“Some people who want to trouble the state after the BJP government came to power and want to derail the development process are behind this. I have directed the police to teach them a legal lesson. The police have been given complete freedom,” he added.
“There is a reason behind this crime. I believe that illegal sale of liquor and drugs plays a major role in this. I urge people across the state to file complaints against such illegal outlets. The state police will conduct special drives over the next two weeks. There is a need to uproot this system,” he said.
