Bengal's Alipurduar child rape and murder case: Protests erupt as 2 suspects identified, 1 dead

In Alipurduar's Falakata region the community has been brought to a standstill following the alleged rape and murder of a young girl during the Kali Puja celebrations. The victim, a child who has not been publicly named, was reported missing after she failed to return home from the festivities. Her body was discovered in a nearby pond, leading to widespread outrage and a mobilization of local residents.

According to local reports, the timeline of events began on the night of Kali Puja. Concerned for her daughter's safety, the victim's mother began searching for her and subsequently visited the home of one of the suspects. The mother reported that upon arrival, she saw two men; one of them was covered in blood, which raised her suspicions. This claim has fueled the investigation and led authorities to pursue the identification and apprehension of a second suspect, who is now in police custody.

In the wake of the girl’s tragic death, a mob of local residents took the law into their own hands, apprehending the first suspect. Eyewitness accounts detail that the man was tied to a betel nut tree and beaten severely by villagers, resulting in his death from the mob attack. The local police have acknowledged the incident, stating they arrived on the scene too late to prevent the violence.

Following the shocking revelations, protests erupted in Falakata, with residents expressing their anger and demands for justice. Demonstrators have gathered in the streets, calling for the death penalty for the second suspect and advocating for stricter measures to ensure the protection of children in the area. Local leaders and activists have voiced their concerns regarding the rise in violence against minors and the need for better safety protocols within the community.