A 9-year-old girl from Joynagar, South 24 Parganas, was brutally raped and murdered, sparking mass protests in the region. The incident took place after the girl, a fourth-grade student, went missing while returning home from a coaching center on Friday afternoon. Her body was found later that night in a pond near Mahishmari, leading to public outrage over the alleged inaction by local police. The situation escalated on Saturday as protestors clashed with police, resulting in violence, vandalism, and deployment of Rapid Action Force (RAF).

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Details of the Incident

According to the victim’s family, the young girl had attended her regular coaching class in Mahishmari on Friday afternoon. When she did not return home, her family began searching for her and lodged a complaint at the local police camp in Mahishmari. However, the family claims their concerns were initially dismissed, with police instructing them to report the case at the Joynagar police station instead.

By nightfall, the girl’s body was discovered in a pond located about a kilometer from her home. The delay in action by the authorities, according to the family, may have cost the girl her life. CCTV footage from the area revealed a suspect, a young man, who has since been arrested. The family is now demanding strict punishment for the accused, along with accountability from the police for their delayed response.

Protests and Clashes with Police

On Saturday morning, as news of the incident spread, the local community gathered to protest outside the Mahishmari police camp, accusing the police of negligence. Tensions quickly escalated, with protestors armed with sticks, brooms, and bamboo storming the camp. The police camp was vandalized, important documents were set on fire, and a section of the camp was torched.

In response, police used force, including lathi charges and tear gas, to disperse the crowd. Despite this, protestors continued to block roads and demand justice for the victim. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed to control the situation, and additional efforts are being made to calm the agitated residents.

Police Response

The local police have arrested one suspect in connection with the crime, based on CCTV footage showing him with the victim. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rupantar Goswami stated, “We have arrested the accused. As of now, only one person has been taken into custody, but the investigation is ongoing to determine if more individuals are involved. Our priority is to stabilize the situation in the area.”

Despite the arrest, anger continues to simmer in Joynagar, as locals demand accountability not only from the accused but also from the police for their alleged failure to act in time.