Opposition leaders, including the Trinamool Congress, have criticized the ruling BJP government in West Bengal for allegedly adopting the “Uttar Pradesh police pattern of encountering criminals.” This reaction comes after the death of one of the four accused individuals arrested in connection with the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur, following a police encounter.
Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee expressed concerns, stating that locals believe the arrested individuals in the Baruipur case have ties to the BJP and RSS, and their consecutive deaths are suspicious. He questioned the circumstances of the accused being taken out during midnight, emphasizing that a person in custody should not be removed between evening and morning.
Trinamool MP Saugata Roy echoed similar sentiments, condemning the incident and alleging that the police have fabricated the encounter story. He criticized the police for resorting to encounter killings, likening the situation to practices observed in Uttar Pradesh. Roy demanded transparency and accountability, advocating for severe punishment for the responsible police personnel.
RJD MLA Bhai Virendra emphasized the tragic nature of the crime against the minor girl and called for action against the accused individuals. He stressed that encounters are unlawful and that legal procedures should be followed to ensure justice is served. Virendra highlighted the importance of upholding the law and due process in such cases.
West Bengal Congress President Subhankar Sarkar criticized the BJP, pointing out the party’s failure to fulfill its promises of “zero tolerance” towards crimes against women. He drew parallels between the Baruipur incident and previous cases in Hathras and Unnao, attributing them to the governance under the BJP-led double engine government. Sarkar highlighted the increase in crimes against women under this administration.
Bengal Minister Tapas Roy defended the police action, stating that the accused individual attempted to escape during the investigation and tried to seize a police officer’s firearm. He justified the police response, emphasizing the government’s unwavering stance against crimes targeting women. Roy assured that all involved parties would face strict legal consequences in accordance with the law.
