West Bengal: Two women stripped, assaulted in Malda, claims BJP

Image used for representational purpose. Pic/Google Earth

The situation in West Bengal's Malda district has become highly contentious due to the alleged assault on two women, reported PTI.

According to BJP's claims, a group of people stripped and mercilessly beat up the women earlier in the week. A video of the incident was shared on social media by Amit Malviya, the head of BJP's IT cell.

However, the state Minister for Women and Child Health, Shashi Panja, provided a different account of the incident. She stated that the women were actually involved in a fight with each other, and the police present at the scene attempted to intervene and stop the altercation. Later, the women left on their own.

The police also weighed in on the matter, asserting that the women had gone to sell their goods at a market in Bamangola, Malda district, and were suspected of committing theft by the local people.

BJP has been vocal about the incident, using it to criticize the state government, especially Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also the home minister of Bengal. They claim that the incident showcases a deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

In response to the incident, the police have registered a suo moto case and are working to identify the alleged offenders. The state BJP president, Sukanta Majumdar, has also cited another alleged incident where a woman BJP candidate was disrobed and paraded in Panchla, Howrah district, for daring to contest in a recent rural poll.

However, the West Bengal Director General of Police, Manoj Malviya, has stated that no evidence of such an act was found. Despite these conflicting statements, the situation remains tense and politically charged, with the BJP using it as a platform to criticize the state government's handling of law and order issues.

Meanwhile, hitting out at the Centre over the violence in Manipur, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that she was in talks with CMs of states ruled by non-BJP parties to send a delegation to the Northeastern state. Speaking to reporters, she said "mothers and daughters" of the country are crying after seeing the May 4 video from Manipur that showed two women being paraded naked by a mob.

(PTI)