Day after rape, loot in Bengal: 2 Left leaders arrested

Stunned by the turn of events, the CPI(M) has started looking into the incident. ‘‘We will have to verify things for ourselves,’’ Nayan Sarker, minister of state for refugee rehabilitation, who is from this area, said.

About 150 people returning home by two buses and a private car after attending a wedding reception were waylaid by a gang of 15 armed dacoits who killed the driver of one bus, looted valuables worth Rs 3 lakh and molested about ten women after taking them to a madarsa under construction nearby. Six of the women were allegedly raped by the miscreants.

A 12-hour bandh called by the CPI(M) was observed in the area. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has ordered an investigation into the incident.

‘‘Police are investigating the matter and senior officials have gone there,’’ Buddhadeb told mediapersons here today.

About the names of two politicians among the accused, DIG (Headquarters) Narayan Ghosh said: ‘‘We have engaged officers of the DIG and SP rank to investigate so that no officer at the lower level can influence the course of investigation,’’ Ghosh said.

Opposition parties showed outrage at the incident. Trinamoool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee demanded resignation of the chief minister as did former Congress president Somen Mitra. ‘‘It baffles me how a Chief Minister can remain in power after such cases involving his own party members surface,’’ Mamata said.

The state BJP also showed anguish at the event. ‘‘Police have been totally politicised. We demand that officials who are in charge of operations should be selected in consultation with all political parties,’’ Tathagata Roy, state BJP president said. However, no CPI(M) leader was available for comment.