The BJP Monday sought the intervention of West Bengal Governor K.N. Tripathi seeking the suspension of police personnel who allegedly tortured a woman in Birbhum district.
Bharatiya Janata Party state president Rahul Sinha after meeting Tripathi claimed that the governor has ordered the director general of police to immediately suspended the police personnel involved in the act.
The woman, recuperating in a hospital, has alleged that a police team Saturday came looking for her nephew, a local BJP leader, wanted for involvement in clashes in Parui. The police forcibly took her away to a jungle and tortured her to extract information about her nephew.
"The way her entire body was slashed and the police rubbed nettle leaves on her private parts is a glaring example of not only the barbarism of the police but also reflective of the nexus of the Trinamool Congress government and anti-social elements," Sinha told media after meeting Tripathi.
"After talking to us, the governor called up the DGP and directed him to immediately suspend the guilty police personnel. He also assured us of seeking a report from the home secretary about the law and order that has entirely collapsed in Bengal," claimed Sinha.
Questioning Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's silence over the matter, Sinha demanded the state government provide a compensation of Rs.10 lakh to the victim and said the party will move the Calcutta High Court over the issue.
"More than 24 hours have passed but she (Mamata Banerjee) has not spoken a single word. Does that mean she endorses and supports this heinous act? Her silence is reflective of the anarchy that is prevailing in the name of administration," Sinha said, demanding a statement from Banerjee.
During the day, a BJP team led by party MLA Samik Bhattacharya met the victim's family in Panrui in the district.
"The woman in her statement has named several Trinamool activists and all of them are wanted in a host of cases, including murder, but none of them has been arrested," said Bhattacharya. He also met Birbhum Police Superintended Alok Rajoria, seeking action against the perpetrators of torture.
