Kolkata: Mamatha Bannerjee, the CM of Bengal, has tweeted, that the probe into the alleged gangrape of the 72 year old nun has been handed over to the CBI. This comes five days after the incident, when the local police including the CID was not able to make any arrests in the case despite the availablity of CCTV footage.
Continous protests, both genuine outpourings of anguish and those promoted by what the CM called ‘political elements’ have forced the CM on the backfoot, and in a deft political move to deflect the attention from the ineffeciency of the state police under her watch and the urgent need to make arrests in the case, the CM has handed over the case to the CBI, a central agency that is contraolled by the central government.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously ordered a CID probe into the incident and promised “swift” and “strongest action” against the culprits. Earlier Eight persons were detained in this connection and the Nadia Superintendent of Police Arnab Ghosh had said the interrogation of the eight persons was on and extensive searches were being conducted across the district.
The Sister Superior of Jesus and Mary’s Convent School,who is admitted to Ranaghat Hospital, is said to be stable now. West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi had expressed the hope that the culprits would soon be arrested and the public also have a responsibility to help authorities to catch them.
“No one should insult any religious institute like this. I am sure that this government will do its best to catch the culprits”, the Governor told reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Kolkata.
Herod Mullick, state working president of the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba, a united state forum of all denominational Christians, said at Gangnapur today that the motive of the culprits was not that of robbery alone, it was an attack on the minority community.
Strongly condemning the incident, Mullick said attacks against Christians have been increasing in different parts of the state. He claimed that the nun had sought police protection after she got life threats.
The SP had announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh would to any individual providing credible information leading to the arrest of the accused.
