RANAGHAT/KOLKATA: An elderly nun at a Convent was allegedly gang-raped by dacoits at Gangnapur in Nadia district early today triggering blockade of road and rail tracks as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ordered a CID probe into the incident.
Banerjee described the alleged gang rape today as "horrific", promising a CID inquiry into the incident. "We strongly condemn the incident that took place at the Ranaghat Convent," she said. "We have ordered a CID probe. The agency will be examining all aspects of this horrific crime. Swift, strongest action to be taken against the culprits", the Chief Minister added.
District Magistrate P B Salim, who rushed to the spot, said it was a heinous act and police were already on the lookout for the gang members. State Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said the Chief Minister has ordered a CID probe into the incident. According to authorities of the local convent school in Ranaghat sub-division, the gang broke into the convent after 12:30 am and three-four of them raped the woman after gagging her.
The gang also decamped with Rs 12 lakh in the almirah locker after committing the crime. The nun was taken to Ranaghat Hospital by the school hostel authorities in the morning when the matter came to light. "We are yet to get a full picture of the incident," the DM said.
Aggrieved guardians of students began blocking the arterial NH 34 and Sealdah-Ranaghat rail tracks from 12 noon as the news spread like wildfire in the locality. Condemning the incident Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said that the people will not tolerate this. The culprits will be given strictest punishment, he said.
Describing it as an "attack on humanity", Hakim said that attempts were being made to inject religious fanaticism. "The culprits have to be identified and arrested immediately and given exemplary punishment," he said.