The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has initiated an inquiry into the horrific rape and murder of a minor girl in Jaynagar, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
NCPCR Chairman Priyank Kanoongo confirmed that the commission is taking necessary actions following the incident that has sparked public outrage. The girl's body was discovered in a canal in the early hours of October 5, prompting immediate protests by locals who accused the police of negligence.
According to reports, the victim’s parents had alerted the police about their daughter’s disappearance on the evening of October 4, but the authorities allegedly failed to respond promptly. Kanoongo expressed concern over the delayed police action, stating, “The delay in police action has sparked widespread anger among the public. We have taken cognizance of the matter, and necessary action is being taken.”
The protests intensified after the discovery of the girl’s body, which reportedly bore multiple injury marks, raising suspicions of foul play. In response to the growing unrest, local law enforcement clashed with demonstrators outside the Jaynagar Police Station, where crowds accused officers of neglecting their initial report. The situation escalated, leading to a violent confrontation where a police camp was ransacked and set ablaze. Authorities resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the mob, and additional police forces were deployed to restore order.
A senior police official confirmed the arrest of a suspect, identified through CCTV footage showing the victim with a local youth prior to her death. Investigations are ongoing to determine if others were involved in the crime. As the community mourns the loss of a young life, calls for accountability and justice continue to grow, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to protect children from violence and abuse.
