KOLKATA: Tension spread in parts of North Bengal after a mentally-challenged 21-year-old tribal woman was allegedly gangraped and iron rods inserted inside her private parts at Dehabandh Hatpara village under Kushmandi police station in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal.
The incident took place when the woman was returning alone from a village fair on Sunday night. Sources stated that the victim laid unconscious at the crime scene under a bridge near Srimati river for more than 12 hours and was spotted by locals on Monday morning who then informed the police. Kushmandi police rescued the victim and admitted her
at Raiganj super specialty hospital.
During initial treatment at Raiganj, doctors found traces of metallic objects inside the victim's private parts and stated that she was raped multiple times. The victim was shifted to Malda Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday morning where she is still in coma and fighting for her life.
Police have arrested one Ramprabesh Sharma and one of his associates in connection with the gangrape. Both the accused hail from the same village as that of the victim. "A case has been initiated and an investigation is proceeding. Strict action will be taken against persons guilty of such sexual perversion," additional deputy general of police (law and
order) Anuj Sharma said.
The orphaned victim got married in Bihar a year ago but was soon deserted after which she returned home and lived alone in her father's house in Dehabandh Hatpara village.
West Bengal Women's Commission chairperson Sunanda Mukherjee demanded exemplary punishment for the guilty.
The incident gains significance with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee reaching the district for an administrative review meeting on Wednesday.
Several Adivasi groups have warned of an agitation if the guilty are not punished. Adivasi groups went on a vandalising spree in Raiganj town in neighbouring North Dinajpur district in July last year after four women, two of them tribals, were gangraped at a bus shelter in the district.