West Bengal is witnessing intense political turmoil following the shocking rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl in Jaynagar, South 24 Parganas. BJP Secretary Priyanka Tibrewal has demanded urgent action from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into what she described as a failure of the local police to act swiftly in this grave case.
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BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal, State Secretary, writes to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) regarding the _Rape and Murder of a 9-Year-Old Child in Jaynagar, West Bengal. pic.twitter.com/z3JUFOjnZK
— Taanusree Bose তণুশ্রী বোস (@tanvibose) October 6, 2024
The incident, which came to light on October 5, has sparked widespread outrage. According to reports, the girl went missing on the evening of October 4, and her body was later found in a canal with visible injury marks. Her family had lodged a missing person complaint earlier, but they alleged that the police did not respond with the necessary urgency, which has added to the tensions and public anger in the region.
The case has quickly turned into a political flashpoint, with Tibrewal accusing the state government and law enforcement agencies of negligence. “The lack of immediate action has left the victim’s family in despair and raised doubts about the commitment of the authorities to deliver justice,” Tibrewal said in her letter to NCPCR. She also emphasized the need for reforms in child protection policies and called for accountability at the highest levels to prevent similar tragedies from recurring.
Protests have erupted in Jaynagar, with local residents accusing the police of ignoring the family’s early warnings. Demonstrations turned violent as protestors clashed with law enforcement outside the Jaynagar Police Station. A police camp was ransacked, forcing the authorities to resort to lathi charges to restore order. Additional forces have been deployed to manage the situation, but the unrest continues, reflecting deep-seated frustrations with the handling of the case.
The NCPCR, chaired by Priyank Kanoongo, has taken cognizance of the matter and pledged action. Kanoongo acknowledged the public’s anger and confirmed that investigations are underway. The police have detained one suspect based on CCTV footage showing the victim with a local youth before she disappeared, but the investigation is still ongoing, with questions about potential involvement of others.
This case has not only raised serious concerns about the safety of children in West Bengal but has also amplified political tensions between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP. The BJP, led by Tibrewal in this case, has been vocal in criticizing the state’s law enforcement under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, accusing it of incompetence and indifference. The TMC, however, has countered that such accusations are politically motivated, aimed at destabilizing the government ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The issue of child safety has become a critical concern in West Bengal, particularly with a rise in such heinous crimes reported in the last year. The political fallout from this case is expected to intensify as public anger grows, and opposition parties continue to press for deeper investigations and accountability.
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In the broader context, this case underscores the persistent challenge of ensuring effective law enforcement in rural areas and the urgent need for child safety reforms across the country. Whether the demand for a CBI investigation will be met remains to be seen, but the case has already placed significant pressure on the state government to act swiftly and decisively.
