Police have arrested two more accused in the gang rape case of a medical student from Odisha in Durgapur, West Bengal. Now all five accused have been caught in this case. State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured strict action, but the opposition and women’s organizations have expressed displeasure over her statement.
A 23-year-old woman, resident of Jaleshwar in Balasore district of Odisha, was gang-raped on Friday night when she had gone to have dinner with a friend outside a private medical college.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhishek Gupta of Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate told PTI, ‘Two more arrests have been made. Along with this, on the basis of the woman’s complaint, all the five accused have been taken into custody.
Three people were arrested on Sunday for their involvement in the ‘gang rape’ of the student.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incident as shocking and said that her government adopts a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ towards such crimes. However, he also urged women not to go out alone late at night, which was sharply criticized by opposition parties and women’s rights groups.
Leader of opposition in the state assembly, Subhendu Adhikari, alleged that at least one of the arrested accused is a Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker.
Responding to this claim, TMC spokesperson Debanshu Bhattacharya said, ‘Even though he is a party worker, it is commendable that TMC has zero tolerance towards crimes. If this incident had happened in a BJP ruled state, the accused would have been garlanded.
The incident has also drawn sharp reactions from neighboring state Odisha, where Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi west bengal Has urged his counterpart to ensure strictest punishment to the culprits.
Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW) Chairperson Sovana Mohanty will also reach West Bengal during the day and will speak to the victim and inquire about her health condition, meet her parents and discuss with the local police.
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