TRIBAL WOMAN GANG-RAPED IN BENGAL, 1 HELD

BERHAMPORE: A 19-year-old tribal woman was allegedly gang raped in Malda district of West Bengal on Tuesday night, police said on Thursday. At least one person was arrested and sent to police custody for four days, they added.

The incident took place when the survivor and her younger sister (16) were returning from a wedding ceremony at 11pm, police said. The woman, in her statement, said they were intercepted by at least five persons, some of whom took her to an undisclosed location. The remaining took her sister to another location, she added.

The woman alleged that two persons, both tribals, then took turns and raped her for an hour.

After the woman returned home, she narrated the incident to the family, following which a search was launched for her sister. The younger sister was later found with one of the accused who was handed over to the police by the locals. The younger sister, police said, was not raped. The men who took her away misbehaved with her and one of them was caught on the spot, they added.

“The girl’s father has lodged a complaint. The officer-in-charge of a woman police station has been asked to investigate the case, under the supervision of a senior officer,” Alok Rajoria, superintendent of police of Malda district, said.