A case involving the alleged rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl triggered widespread unrest in Baruipur in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, with violent clashes erupting between locals and police on Sunday morning.
The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Baruipur police station. The area turned into a battleground as an agitated mob pelted bricks at police personnel and vandalised police vehicles.
According to the victim's family, the minor had left home on Saturday afternoon to buy food but did not return. Relatives and neighbours searched for her throughout the night, but she remained untraceable. The family has alleged that four local youths abducted the girl.
On Sunday morning, locals found the girl's body floating in a pond near her residence. The discovery sparked widespread outrage, with residents alleging that the child had been raped and then strangled in an attempt to destroy evidence. Police said preliminary findings suggest strangulation as the possible cause of death, while the exact cause will be determined after the post-mortem examination.
Tension escalated soon after the body was recovered, as villagers gathered at the spot and initially refused to allow the police to take it away.
Accusing the police of negligence and delay in taking action, the crowd staged protests that quickly turned violent. Police personnel faced resistance while attempting to retrieve the body and bring the situation under control. Several police personnel were reportedly injured in the stone-pelting and vandalism.
A large police contingent was later deployed to restore order. The police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd, after which the situation was brought under control. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
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