Bengal CM Suvendu likely to inaugurate Surjapur police outpost on Saturday

Kolkata, Jul 10 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is likely to inaugurate a police outpost at Surjapur in South 24 Parganas on Saturday, four days after announcing its establishment following his meeting with the family of a minor who was allegedly raped and murdered in nearby Baruipur, a senior official said. Until now, Surjapur had only a police camp, which was primarily used for maintaining law and order. Residents had to travel nearly 10 km to the Baruipur police station to lodge complaints. The state criminal investigation department (CID), which has taken over the probe into the alleged rape and murder, is expected to visit the crime scene later in the day. A forensic team is likely to collect evidence as part of the probe, another official said. During the proposed visit to Baruipur on Saturday, Adhikari is also expected to meet the victim's family again, he said. "Preparations for the proposed inauguration have been completed. Subject to the chief minister's schedule and weather conditions, he is expected to inaugurate the Surjapur police outpost during his visit to Baruipur on Saturday. Necessary administrative and security arrangements have been made," the senior state government official told PTI. During his visit to Baruipur on Tuesday, Adhikari had met the bereaved family, which urged the government to set up a police outpost at Surjapur. Responding to the request, the chief minister had announced that the facility would be ready within a week and said he would personally inaugurate it. Adhikari had also indicated that the government was prepared to operate the outpost from a rented premises if necessary. A senior state government official said all arrangements for the outpost had been completed following the chief minister's announcement. "The infrastructure is ready, and the police outpost has been made operational within the stipulated timeline. It will significantly improve policing and ensure quicker access to law enforcement services for residents of the area," the official said. According to police and administrative officials, Adhikari is expected to reach Baruipur around 11.30 am on Saturday. He will first visit the victim's residence before meeting the family of Indrajit Mondal, who allegedly died in a mob assault. He is then scheduled to inaugurate the Surjapur police outpost. The chief minister's programme in Baruipur is expected to last around 45 minutes. With the new police outpost becoming operational, locals will be able to register complaints and access basic policing services closer to home. PTI SCH MNB