The mob, comprising people from both South and North Dinajpur districts, protesting against the alleged gangrape of a mentally-challenged tribal woman, had gathered at Buniadpur in South Dinajpur district early in the morning, a police officer said.
They then marched to Ghatpara village, before setting the houses on fire, he added.
Fire and emergency services officials, with the help of villagers, brought the flames under control but by then, the fire had spread to a few other houses, Bipul Banerjee, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Gangarampur, said.
Meanwhile, on the condition of the victim, Pratip Kumar Kundu, Principal Professor at the Malda Medical College and Hospital, where the woman is being treated, said, "We cannot say anything for certain as of now," adding that the victim was speaking at times, but in a disjointed manner.
Also Read
The mentally-challenged tribal woman was allegedly gangraped in Kushmandi in South Dinajpur district on February 17 and brutalised by her tormentors, who had inserted an iron rod into her private parts, before fleeing the spot.
The locals spotted her the next evening and alerted the police, who rushed her to the Raiganj district hospital, where she underwent a surgery.
Since the condition of the woman was said to be critical, she was referred to the Malda Medical College Hospital.
A police complaint was filed by one of her neighbours.
Two persons -- aged 50 years and 45 years respectively -- were arrested from Itahar in neighbouring North Dinajpur district in connection with the incident on February 20.
An amount of Rs 4.12 lakh has already been transferred to the victim's bank account as compensation.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content