Cooch Behar Minor Rape Case Ignites Violent Protests and Bandh in Jalpaiguri District
A deeply disturbing incident in Cooch Behar district has triggered widespread outrage and violent unrest in the Jalpaiguri region of West Bengal. A 60-year-old man stands accused of allegedly raping a minor girl in the Mekhliganj area, an act he reportedly followed with threats to silence her.
Alleged Assault and Police Custody
The harrowing details of the alleged sexual assault came to public attention on Saturday, marking a delay of two days from when the crime is said to have occurred. According to reports, the accused individual not only committed the alleged rape but also intimidated the young victim, warning her of severe consequences if she dared to speak about the traumatic experience to anyone. Following the registration of the case, the accused has been formally taken into custody. A local court has ordered him to be remanded in police custody for a period of three days to facilitate further investigation into the serious charges.
Violent Clashes Erupt Over Perceived Police Inaction
The revelation of the incident acted as a catalyst for significant public anger, which boiled over into violent confrontations on Saturday night. A section of the local community in Mekhliganj clashed directly with police personnel, expressing fury over what they perceived as law enforcement inaction or delay in addressing the case. The violence resulted in injuries to Mekhliganj Officer-in-Charge Md Shahbaz and several other police officers. During the unrest, protesters resorted to setting up road blockades and burning tyres, severely disrupting normal life and movement in the area.
In response to the violent protests, police authorities took swift action, leading to the arrest of nine individuals allegedly involved in the clashes. These arrested persons have been sent to judicial remand for a duration of one week, as legal proceedings against them commence.
12-Hour Bandh Paralyzes Jamaldaha Area
The wave of protest extended beyond immediate clashes into organized civic action. On Sunday, the Jamaldaha area observed a comprehensive 12-hour bandh (shutdown). This bandh was called as a mark of protest and solidarity, reflecting the deep-seated community anger and demand for justice in the wake of the alleged crime against the minor. The shutdown brought daily activities and commercial operations to a standstill, underscoring the intensity of local sentiment.
This tragic case in Cooch Behar has thus escalated from an individual criminal allegation to a significant law and order situation, highlighting issues of child safety, police responsiveness, and community mobilization in the region.
