5 more arrested for mob violence in Bengal's Baruipur after minor's rape-murder
Five more people have been arrested in connection with mob violence and an attack on police personnel after the alleged rape and murder of an
Five more people have been arrested in connection with mob violence and an attack on police personnel after the alleged rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in West Bengal, taking the total number of arrests in the unrest cases to 35, a police officer said on Friday. The five were held during overnight raids in areas under the Baruipur Police district, and police said more arrests were likely. Read Full Story Two separate cases have been registered, one over the lynching of a youth suspected by locals of involvement in the crime, and another over the assault on police personnel and damage to public property during the unrest.
"We have arrested five more accused, taking the total number of arrests in the mob violence cases to 35. Raids are underway, and more arrests are likely. We are examining the role of each individual involved, whether direct or indirect," a senior officer of the Baruipur Police district told PTI. The girl had gone missing last Saturday after leaving her home in South 24 Parganas' Baruipur to buy a birthday gift for a friend. Her family lodged a missing complaint and her body was recovered the next day. Soon after the body was found, a mob lynched a man, Indrajit Mondal, suspecting his role in the girl's rape and murder.
Protesters also blocked roads and damaged railway tracks. Police personnel who tried to intervene were allegedly assaulted and several police vehicles were vandalised. "Attack on police personnel and destruction of public property are serious offences. We have identified several suspects through technical evidence and video footage, and strict legal action will be taken against everyone found responsible," the officer said. Later, Suvendu Adhikari said Mondal was innocent and those involved in his lynching would be booked on murder charges. In the rape and murder case, police have so far arrested four people: prime accused Anand Sardar, Prabhas Mondal, Dibakar Sardar and Kabir Molla.
Police said Mondal was killed in an encounter on Tuesday night after he allegedly tried to snatch a service firearm from an officer and flee during the reconstruction of the crime. Overall, the case now covers the girl's rape and murder, the lynching that followed, and the violence against police and public property. Ends
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