Tiljala a place that falls in South Kolkata is witnessing protests after a minor girl was murdered by a neighbour in the name of human sacrifice. The man allegedly strangled the seven-year-old on the advice of a Tantrik.
Soon after the murderer was identified the locals started protesting and demanded stringent action against the culprit.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) taking suo motu cognizance of the case issued a notice to the government. The chairperson of the NCPCR Priyank Kanoongo also issued a notice stating he will visit the town from March 31 to April 1.
Instead of providing security to Kanoongo, the West Bengal government issued a letter saying the visit is ‘not necessarily needed’ as the state commission has taken cognizance of the matter.
Why the neighbour killed minor girl?
Thirty-two-year-old Alok Kumar who hails from Bihar abducted the minor girl from his neighbourhood on March 26. Alok and his wife were struggling to have a baby as his wife had three miscarriages.
For this, the couple met a ‘Tantrik’ in Bihar, a few months ago. The Tnatrik allegedly suggested the couple to sacrifice a minor during Navratri if they wish to have a biological child.
Following the instructions of the tantrik, Alok Kumar, who is originally from Bihar’s Samastipur, allegedly abducted the minor, took her to his flat, and strangled her.
The police said that the minor had a head injury caused probably by a hammer. She also had injury marks on her private parts.
Protests broke out after the accused was arrested
Soon after the murder was reported and the accused was identified the locals began protesting. Residents also vandalised several vehicles, alleging “delay” in police action to find the missing girl. Three people, including a woman, were detained for their involvement in the vandalism.
https://twitter.com/amitmalviya/status/1640318035016728576?s=20
Local people put blockades on the roads in the Tiljala area on March 27, demanding the release of the detained persons. They blockaded the key EM Bypass and railway tracks in the South Sealdah section, disrupting road traffic and train services.
On a day when President Draupadi Murmu is in Kolkata, the city is on fire. There is widespread anger against Mamata Banerjee’s Govt for failing to control increasing instances of crime against women and young girls, in particular. Kolkata needs to be rescued from the TMC, soon… pic.twitter.com/IzPvIqA9QX
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 27, 2023
The violent activities were so intense that local leaders requested the centre to intervene. Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Member of Parliament Saumitra Khan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting the deployment of centre security force to control the violence.
#BJP MP #SaumitraKhan writes to PM #NarendraModi requesting deployment of central security in #Kolkata’s #Tiljala where violence erupted over the reported murder of a minor at a time when the President is visiting the city. pic.twitter.com/ayjyiExtXk
— Sreyashi Dey (@SreyashiDey) March 27, 2023
The NCPCR visit
The NCPCR wrote to the DGP of Bengal seeking a detailed factual report within 48 hours in the death of a 7-year-old minor girl in Tiljala. Notably, the minor girl was allegedly raped by the accused before she was sacrificed.
A letter dated March 27 issued by the NCPCR can be seen here:
National Commission for protection of Child Rights writes to #WestBengal DGP, seeking detailed factual report within 48 hrs in the death of 7-yr-old minor girl in #Kolkata’s #Tiljala area . pic.twitter.com/xsilPLvO8f
— Ankit Yadav ( অঙ্কিত যাদব ) (@Ankit4People) March 28, 2023
After Kanoongo made sure that he will be vising the town from March 31 to April 1, the authorities instead of looking after the security measures asked him not to visit the town.
Kanoongo will also be visiting Maldah where a minor girl was sexually abused by a teacher.
As per this letter dated March 30 by the state protection of child rights, the officials asked Kanoongo not to visit the town as they have taken cognizance of the matter. They have also been tracking the action in the Maldah case.
The notice further says that as per the Supreme Court the NCPCR and SCPCR have to work collectively and in this matter instead of informing the SCPCR, the NCPCR took cognizance of the matter and did not even inform the members of SCPCR about the visit.
The letter further says, “Your visits on issues like these are not necessary as the state commission has already taken cognizance.”
Mockery of law and order taking place in West Bengal
7-year old child raped and murdered with locals alleging that police didn’t act on time
Meanwhile WB administration doesn’t want NCPCR to visit
What are they hiding? #Tiljala pic.twitter.com/PEg3FJqton
— Monica Verma (@TrulyMonica) March 30, 2023
Taking it to Twitter Kanoongo informed on March 30 that he has informed the state government about his two-day visit but still no measures have been taken nor does the state government provide him with security.
The NCPCR, again wrote to the state authorities intimating them about the visit, he said citing security reasons they want the state to take notice of the visit.
He added, in every situation NCPCR and team will visit Bengal on March 31.
अधिकारियों की जानकारी नहीं दी हैं।
जाँच दल को लेकर राज्य सरकार की ओर से असहयोग की वजह से दल की सुरक्षा को सम्भावित ख़तरे के मद्देनज़र राज्य के मुख्य सचिव,गृह सचिव व डीजीपी को आज अभी पुनः निवेदन प्रेषित किया है।हर हाल में कल @NCPCR_ पहुँचेगा अवश्य@PMOIndia @MamataOfficial
— प्रियंक कानूनगो Priyank Kanoongo (@KanoongoPriyank) March 30, 2023
