A Kamduni parallel in Kharjuna

The villagers staged demonstrations yesterday,demanding Murshidabad SP Humayun Kabir to visit the village and tender an apology. “We will continue to agitate till the SP tenders an unconditional apology,” said Pallab Das,a 30-plus resident,adding that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should also visit the place.

When the body of the woman was recovered,the police had ruled out rape and termed it a case of elopement that went awry. “This is not a case of rape. The woman was having an extramarital affair with the accused and wanted to elope. But the accused,who too is married,refused and later strangulated her,” SP Kabir had said.

Police had arrested one person claiming that he was the woman’s paramour.

SP Kabir,meanwhile,said it was too early to talk conclusively about the cause of the murder.

Asked about the TV footage that showed him saying it was consensual sex,he said,“It is only a part of what I said and it has been edited and televised in a misleading fashion.”

Meanwhile,Rail Minister Adhir Chowdhury today visited the victim’s family and assured them of all help. “I have told them that along with common men,Congress supporters,too,are with them. The remark made by SP Kabir was false and politically motivated,” he said.

Chowdhury also assured the villagers of an unbiased inquiry and action.

The Congress has also called for a 12-hour strike in Baroa Block tomorrow,protesting against the rape and subsequent “character assassination” by the police.