Kolkata/Serampore: Villagers, mostly women, tied an ITBP constable to a tree and beat him for allegedly trying to outrage the modesty of a woman at Birala village in Jangipara under Serampore Lok sabha constituency on Sunday night. This was the second such allegation against central force personnel in poll-bound Bengal. On Sunday, a BSF jawan on poll duty was accused of hugging and kissing a morning walker in Uluberia.
The accused ITBP constable from battalion 41C, Nagraju, posted in Bengal on election duty, was apprehended after the woman lodged a complaint with Jangipara police station.She alleged the accused had barged into her house and attempted to molest her at night. When she raised an alarm, her husband and relatives came to her rescue. He tried to flee but was caught.
Hooghly Rural Police SP Kamnasis Sen said, “Cops have received a complaint of molestation from the woman. An investigation is underway. The accused has been apprehended and a case has been filed under IPC sections 354 (B) pertaining to assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe; 448 (House trespass) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt).”
Trinamool candidate from Serampore LS seat Kalyan Banerjee, said, “The incident shows the country what has been planned by sending central forces. We will not tolerate such behaviour.” State minister Shashi Panja said, “The central forces are on a spree to torture and sexually abuse the women of our state.”
BJP candidate in Serampore Kabir Sankar Bose, said, “Cops held the ITBP constable on the basis of a woman’s complaint. They ought to have checked whether it was planned before filing the case.”