Police seek help over rape of nun

DELHI: Five men were detained yesterday in connection with the rape of an elderly nun in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, officials said.

The men were being questioned to try to find the gang of six robbers who broke into a convent in the town of Ranaghat in Nadia on Friday, district official PB Salim said.

The men allegedly sexually assaulted the nun and fled with cash and valuables.

The police have released images of the four men obtained from CCTV footage from the Jesus and Mary Convent and announced a reward of 100 000 rupees (about R20 000) for any information on them.

“The administration will surely apprehend the culprits and punish them. I feel the people should come forward to help nab the culprits,” West Bengal governor KN Tripathi said.

The nun, said to be over 70, received medical treatment and was in stable condition in hospital, Salim said.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee ordered a criminal investigation department probe into the incident.

A senior minister of Banerjee’s government alleged the incident was connected to what is seen as rising religious fanaticism in the country.

“Religious politics was being practised in the name of ghar wapasi (return home),” Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said.

Hakim was referring to some right-wing Hindu groups who claim all Christians and Muslims in the country were originally Hindus and run “reconversion” or ghar wapasi programmes for them.

The country is about 80% Hindu, while Muslims comprise about 13% and Christians 2.3%. – Sapa-dpa