BJP demands CBI probe into alleged assault of minority woman leader in West Bengal's Cooch Behar

On June 29, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Agnimitra Paul demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged assault of a BJP minority Morcha leader during post-war violence. elections in the state. She said a team from the National Commission for Women (NCW) would arrive in Cooch Behar later today to assess the situation.

“There is no respect and safety for women in West Bengal despite Mamata Banerjee being a woman chief minister,” Paul alleged on Saturday as she staged a protest outside the office of the Superintendent of Police in Cooch Behar against the alleged incident. “When the same incident happened in Manipur, she sent a team to probe the matter and criticised the central government. But when it happens in West Bengal, no team is sent by the chief minister.”

The Asansol South MP also said that under the Trinamool Congress government, it is a “sin” to support opposition parties. “When our sister, who is from the same minority community as the Chief Minister's vote bank, supports the BJP, Trinamool workers threaten and endanger her safety,” Ms. Paul remarked. She claimed the woman was stripped naked, beaten and paraded through the streets by ruling party workers.

Panel composed of seven members

Earlier, West Bengal BJP president Sukanata Majumdar had constituted a seven-member team led by Ms Paul to probe the incident. Besides, Mr Majumdar also called the victim on Saturday, asking about her condition and assuring her that if needed, she would be brought to Kolkata for treatment. Currently, she is undergoing treatment at MJN Medical College in Cooch Behar.

At the Cooch Behar protest site, Ms Paul said the police had falsely claimed that the clothes of the alleged victim had accidentally slipped amid the jostling. “We don’t trust the police. They are claiming that the incident was a case of domestic dispute,” she asked.

On Friday, police officials said that an investigation has been initiated into the alleged incident and three accused have also been arrested in this connection. Earlier, Trinamool leaders had rejected accusations leveled by the BJP regarding the attack on the minority leader and claimed that it was a result of a family dispute.