On Thursday (29th August), the son of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader was arrested for the rape and attempted murder of a 13-year-old tribal girl. The incident occurred in Banshihari in Gangarampur subdivision in Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal.
As per reports, the accused was identified as Priyanath Rajbanshi. He is the son of Naresh Rajbanshi, an influential TMC booth President. Several family members of the accused are associated with the ruling political dispensation in the State.
Priyanath carried out the heinous crime on Wednesday (28th August) night at the residence of the victim. When the minor raised the alarm, her mother came to her rescue. The accused however managed to flee the crime scene.
Priyanath had reportedly tried to strangle the victim to death using a drawstring after committing rape, leaving serious injury marks on her neck.
On learning about the matter on Thursday (29th August), a police team led by ASP Indrajit Sarkar and IC Asim Gope reached the crime scene and recovered the pants and shoes of the accused. They also arrested Priyanath Rajbanshi while he was trying to escape.
The victim is said to be in critical condition and is currently undergoing treatment at Gangarampur Super Specialty Hospital. The incident has sparked fear and chaos in the Banshihari area.
While speaking about the incident, a local villager named Deepti Rajbanshi stated, “We want justice. The man has committed similar crimes before. We want strict punishment for the accused.”
She cautioned, “If the police do not take any action, we will take the law into our hands.” According to villagers, Priyanath Rajbanshi has been involved in at least 3 incidents of sexual violence.
Another villager named Shibnath Pandey inquired, “Girls have no protection. The government says they are protecting the tribal community. But where is the protection?”
