Protests Spark After Minor Girl's Death In West Bengal: 10 Things To Know

Clashes broke out between the police and locals in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur district after the body of a minor girl was discovered.

As news spread, an enraged mob blocked the route by torching tyres and pelting stones at Police Officers in the West Bengali town of Kaliaganj. Moreover, a purported video of the police dragging the deceased's body on the road drew the public's ire and the police faced harsh criticism.

On April 24, four police officers with the rank of Assistant Police Sub Inspectors were suspended for allegedly dragging the body of the minor girl on the road.

The 17-year-old was found dead at Kaliaganj a day after she went missing. As per the police, family members demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case and alleged that the girl was raped and murdered. However, the preliminary post-mortem report did not suggest rape.

Prohibitory orders were clamped in parts of Kaliganj under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) following the clashes.

Protests Spark After Minor Girl's Death

• The girl, who lived in the village of Gangua in the Uttar Dinajpur district, reportedly vanished on April 20 after leaving for tutoring, as reported by police. Throughout the entire night, her family and the villagers searched extensively but were unable to locate her.
• The deceased's body was later discovered by residents in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur district a day after she went missing.
• A 20-year-old man was detained in connection with the incident. Police have proclaimed that the girl and the accused knew each other.
• A heart-rending video got viral where police officers could be seen dragging the corpse of the victim along the street. Locals got agitated and blocked roads, set tyres on fire, and purportedly threw stones at police.
• Six people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the clashes with the police.
• The girl's body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. Sana Akhtar, Superintendent of Police in North Dinajpur, said two persons had been detained in connection with the alleged rape and murder.
• As per the senior police officer, a bottle of poison was recovered nearby the body of the deceased.
• Uttar Dinajpur's Trinamool Congress (TMC) president Kanayalal Agarwal stated the police should have used a stretcher or ambulance rather than dragging the body. However, Agarwal added that the body had to be removed to avoid a scuffle and conduct the post-mortem examination.
• The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken note of the occurrence and has requested that West Bengal Police intervene and conduct an impartial inquiry.
  

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