BSF jawans 'molest' woman, let loose reign of terror

Balurghat, Aug 25 (UNI) About 200 BSF jawans let loose a reign of terror on Dhalapora villagers in South Dinajpur district and beat up some 60 people to avenge the manhandling of a constable caught 'molesting' a woman last night, police said today.

Jawan Umesh Singh and a driver allegedly molested the 30-year-old woman when she was returning home with her husband Nakul Mondol.

He was overpowered by the two BSF men. But Mondol managed to run home and call back his neighbours who thrashed Singh. The driver, however, fled, police said.

Police later came and the villagers handed the jawan to them.

But instead of arresting him the police set him free.

The jawan then returned with about 200 colleagues of the 57th battalion and barged into the villagers' homes and went on a rampage for some hours in which about 60 people were injured. Of them twelve were admitted to the local hospital.

District Superintendent of Police Kalyan Mullick immediately reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

The police deployed fresh reinforcement in the area to instil confidence in the villagers.

District Magistrate Syed Sarfraj Ahmed today visited the area and inquired about the incident.

West Bengal Jail and Social Welfare Minister Biswanath Choudhury and Lok Sabha member Ranen Burman also visited the spot and talked to the people.

Mr Choudhury said he would report the matter to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee seeking punitive action against the guilty jawans.

Mr Burman said he would also raise the issue with the Union Home ministry and urge the Centre to immediately remove the 57th battalion.

Meanwhile, the South Dinajpur district Left Front Committee and West Bengal Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights today decided to call a 12-hour Hilly block bandh tomorrow to protest the molestation and subsequent attack by the BSF jawans.

UNI XC PC PL DKA RS1445