Kushmandi gang-rape: Mob burns down houses of accused

Kolkata: Tension erupted at Kushmandi in South Dinajpur when hundreds of locals attacked houses belonging to the accused of gan-grape of a mentally challenged woman.

It may be recalled that a mentally challenged woman was allegedly gang-raped and tortured with an iron rod on May 19. She was kidnapped and tortured when she was returning after offering puja.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her concern over the incident during her recent visit to the district and directed police officers to maintain a proper vigil in the area. The accused have been arrested. Soon after the arrest of the accused Ram Pravesh Sharma, locals attacked his house. The mob also attacked the house of his brothers protesting against the incident.

Thousands of people gathered outside the house of the accused on Friday morning and started damaging the house all of a sudden.

People who were present inside were rescued by the police. They took them to a safer place and ensured that normalcy gets restored in the area.

Initially, the police were outnumbered by the crowd. Later, a large contingent of police was pressed into service to bring the situation under control. The mob damaged the houses and set them on fire. The villagers said they would not allow the accused and his family members to stay in the area. Senior police officers intervened and brought the situation under control by assuring all necessary steps against the accused. Police pickets have been posted in the area to ensure that law and order situation doesn't deteriorate further. They are, however, continuing with the probe in this connection.