'Rape, murdered, body found in marshy land': Massive protests erupt in West Bengal

NEW DELHI: A 10-year-old girl's body was found in a marshy land in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, leading to violent protests by locals against the police on Saturday.The girl had been missing since Friday evening and villagers allege that she was raped and murdered, accusing the police of not acting on their initial complaint.On discovering the girl's body in Jaynagar on Saturday morning, an angry mob set fire to a police outpost and threw stones at police officers. Several vehicles outside the outpost were also vandalized, forcing the policemen to evacuate.A large police force was dispatched and tear gas was used to disperse the crowd that tried to corner senior police personnel on site.According to a local, "The family members of the girl lodged an FIR at the Mahismari outpost in the area but the police did not act on the complaint immediately."Another villager drew parallels to a previous incident where the police acted similarly when a woman doctor's body was found at R G Kar hospital.Ganesh Dolui, a local resident, stated, "We will continue our agitation till all those behind the rape and murder of our minor daughter are punished. We also demand action against those who responded to the complaint late, which might have resulted in her death. Had the police acted promptly, the girl could have been rescued."The police, however, claim immediate action was taken upon receiving the complaint. They reported the arrest of an accused linked to the alleged rape and murder. "After lodging of FIR at 9 pm on Friday, police swung into action and arrested an accused this morning after an initial probe. Investigations are on and we are with the family of the deceased."The official also mentioned that those involved in arson and the destruction of important documents at the police outpost would be identified and appropriate action would be taken.