Following the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl in Tiljala, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Priyank Kanoongo visited West Bengal. While he was inspecting a police officer allegedly manhandled him. A video from yesterday is making rounds on the internet where Kanoongo can be seen screaming for help.
Notably, a minor girl was murdered by her neighbour in the name of human sacrifice. The man allegedly strangled the seven-year-old on the advice of a Tantrik on March 26. The minor was allegedly raped by the accused before the murder.
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.
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.
He will also meet a rape victim at Maldah today (April 1).
मैं आज मालदा पहुँच गया हूँ,स्कूल के भीतर बलात्कार का शिकार बनी मासूम बच्ची से मिलूँगा उसे न्याय मिले यह सुनिश्चित करने के लिए मामले की जाँच भी करूँगा।
कल @MamataOfficial जी की सरकार की पुलिस ने मुझ पर हमला किया परंतु मैं गुंडागर्दी और धमकियों से डरकर रुकूँगा नहीं।
— प्रियंक कानूनगो Priyank Kanoongo (@KanoongoPriyank) April 1, 2023
On March 31, when Kanoongo was at the Tiljala police station a police officer Bishwak Mukherjee allegedly manhandled him. Kanoongo reported about the attack from his official Twitter account.
He wrote, “At Tiljala police station a police officer Bishwak Mukherjee manhandled me, the West Bengal Police were illegal recording the proceedings of the NCPCR inspection drive”
पश्चिम बंगाल के तिलजिला थाने में बंगाल पुलिस के अफ़सर बिस्वाक मुखर्जी ने मेरे साथ छीना छपटी व मार पीट की है।
पुलिस के लोग @NCPCR_ की जाँच कार्यवाही की चोरी छिपे रिकॉर्डिंग कर रहे थे।
विरोध करने पर मेरे साथ मार पीट की है।— प्रियंक कानूनगो Priyank Kanoongo (@KanoongoPriyank) March 31, 2023
Almost after a few hours to this Tweet, the visuals from the ground started making rounds on the internet. In a viral clip, Kanoongo can be heard screaming for help as officials close the door of the room. The media personnel standing outside, keep asking what happened but to no avail, the clip ends here.
#WATCH: @NCPCR_ Chairperson @KanoongoPriyank screaming for help as he was manhandled by Bengal police inside Tiljala police station.
Kanoongo alleged he was beaten up by officer Biswak Mukherjee.
He is on an official visit to probe rape and murder of a minor girl in Tiljala. pic.twitter.com/T0efyHL1yl
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) April 1, 2023
Earlier the West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WB-SCPCR) accused Kanoongo of ignoring them and suggested him not to visit the state as they have taken cognizance of the matter.
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 the 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
Even after the attack on March 31, Kanoongo reached the school in Maldah where he will be meeting a minor rape victim. The attacks on government officials in Bengal is not new as there have been many such targets in the past as well.
