Kolkata/ Baruipur: A heavy security presence was in place outside the homes of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party leader Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata on Sunday, as political and communal tensions escalated following the alleged rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas.
Central paramilitary units stood alongside state police, prompting accusations that the deployment aimed to prevent TMC leaders from travelling to meet the bereaved family — an allegation that authorities have not confirmed.
Local unrest began after the child’s body was recovered from a pond near her home in Suryapur Hat under Dhapdhapi-II panchayat on Sunday morning, as reported by National Herald. According to family members, she had left home on Saturday afternoon to buy a birthday gift for a friend and was reported missing when she did not return. Residents claimed four youths abducted the girl. Police say her body was found a short distance from home and that investigators believe she was strangled.
Protests, Mobs & Clashes
Hundreds of locals gathered at the scene and initially refused to allow police to remove the body. Demonstrators placed the corpse on Kulpi Road and blocked roads, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible. Tensions boiled over into violence. Police vehicles were damaged, officers were pelted with bricks, and several police personnel and journalists were injured. Train services on the Namkhana-Sealdah line were disrupted for about an hour after protesters blocked tracks at Suryapur railway station.
One man, identified as Prabhas Mondal, was detained by Baruipur police on Sunday morning and is being questioned, while a search continues for other suspects. Police said an initial murder case has been registered and that a decision on whether to add rape charges will follow the post-mortem and further investigation. During the unrest, 26-year-old Indrajit Tanti — accused by locals of involvement — was attacked by a mob, later taken to hospital by police and declared dead. Police have not confirmed his role in the crime.
Political Flashpoint
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders accused the state of deliberately restricting TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee’s movement. TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh said heavy police deployment and barricades outside her residence prevented her from leaving. “Our leader intended to visit Baruipur. On learning this, a massive police force and barricades were deployed outside her residence to prevent her from leaving,” he said.
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien wrote on X: “What’s going on in Bengal? For hours now, ten-plus police cars have been deliberately parked in the narrow lane just outside the house of @MamataOfficial.”
TMC national general-secretary Abhishek Banerjee posted on X: “@BJP4India doesn’t just fail women, it fosters a climate where those accused of heinous crimes appear to believe they enjoy political protection.”
Controversy Over Local BJP Leader
The detention of Santanu Mondal, the local BJP mandal president, intensified the controversy. Locals allege he influenced police to release suspects after their arrest on Sunday morning.
Social activist Kamru Chowdhury posted on X raising questions about broader accountability: “Baruipur gang rape: One of the accused says seven criminals were involved in the abduction, gang rape and murder of the 11-year-old girl. Surprisingly, no statement from RG Kar’s victim’s mother, Ratna Debnath, who is also an MLA. More surprising is the role of Suvendu Adhikari, who has refused to meet the victim’s family until Tuesday. Where is the Human Rights Commission? Why have the police officers who let some accused flee not been suspended? Why has the BJP leader who tried to shield the accused not been arrested?”
Police Response & Assurances
Presidency Range inspector-general of police Kankar Prasad Barui said he would personally ensure the post-mortem was conducted the same day and vowed that “Everyone involved in this incident will be arrested. We will strive to ensure the death penalty is imposed. The Chief Minister called a short while ago and promised that no one involved in this case would be spared. We will take whatever measures are necessary and are committed to providing all possible assistance.”
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari also called the girl’s father and assured him that every possible step would be taken to secure justice, inviting the family to meet him on Tuesday, 7 July.
Investigation Under Way
Baruipur police confirmed a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by an additional superintendent of police has been formed. Officers from Jaynagar, Sonarpur and Canning were deployed after several policemen were injured trying to restore order. Although violence has abated, roads in parts of the area remained blocked for several hours and rail services were briefly suspended.
