A wave of shock and anger swept through Baruipur in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Sunday after the body of an 11-year-old girl was recovered in a mutilated condition from the Surjyapur Haat area. The minor, who had gone missing on Saturday afternoon, was allegedly abducted, raped and murdered before her body was dumped. The discovery triggered massive protests, with enraged locals blocking key roads and railway tracks, damaging vehicles and lynching one suspected individual.
According to the girl’s family, she left home around 4:30 pm on Saturday to buy a birthday gift for a friend. When she did not return, family members searched for her throughout the night. Early on Sunday morning, her body was found stuffed inside a sack in the Surjyapur Haat locality under the Dhapdhapi-II Gram Panchayat area. The family has alleged that four persons forcibly abducted the child and subjected her to rape and murder.
The gruesome recovery sparked immediate outrage. Hundreds of residents gathered at the spot, refusing initially to hand over the body to police. They blocked the Baruipur-Joynagar Road for several hours, burning tyres and setting vehicles on fire. Protesters also obstructed railway tracks on the Sealdah-Namkhana section, completely disrupting train services for more than an hour. Stones were pelted at police teams that arrived at the scene, forcing officers to resort to lathi charge to bring the situation under control. Several police vehicles were damaged during the unrest.
In a disturbing turn, an angry mob lynched a 26-year-old local man suspected of involvement in the crime. The victim’s family and locals claimed the individual was seen with other prime suspects. Reports also indicate that police had picked up at least one suspect earlier, but locals alleged he was later released, further inflaming passions and contributing to the mob violence. Police have confirmed detaining one person for questioning in connection with the case, while additional arrests are being pursued.
Senior police officers, including Inspector General of Police (Presidency Range) Kankarprasad Barui, rushed to the spot with a large contingent of forces, including central paramilitary personnel. Addressing the protesters through a megaphone, the IGP assured them that no one involved in the crime would be spared and urged cooperation with the investigation. The body was later sent to Baruipur subdivisional hospital for postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death and confirm allegations of sexual assault and murder.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari spoke directly with the victim’s father over the phone, assuring full support and a thorough probe. He has reportedly asked the family to meet him at Bhabani Bhavan on Tuesday.
The situation remains tense but largely under control following police assurances and the deployment of additional security. Investigations into both the alleged rape-murder and the lynching are ongoing. Local residents continue to demand immediate and stringent action against all those responsible.
