WB CM rejects lynching tag for man's death in violence after girl's rape, murder; gives his kin job

Kolkata, Jul 11 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday refused to describe Indrajit Mondal's killing after the recovery of the raped 11-year-old girl's body as lynching, saying his identity had been established before the "murder". He also alleged that radical communal forces or those rejected in the polls could have had a hand in the violence that erupted in South 24 Parganas district's Baruipur after the girl's body stuffed in a sack was found in a pond. Adhikari made the comments after handing over a job letter and a Rs 25 lakh cheque to the kin of the lynched man. Before that, he met the girl's parents at their house and assured them of all assistance. He had earlier said that Mondal, an auto-rickshaw driver, was innocent and those involved in his lynching would be charged for murder. Five people have so far been arrested in connection with the case. "Indrajit's death was not because of mob lynching; his identity was established before he was murdered," the chief minister said, adding that he has handed over an appointment letter for the post of civic volunteer to Mondal's elder brother and a Rs 25 lakh cheque to his parents. A 35-year-old unmarried man was tied up and beaten to death; there will be no sympathy or leniency for his killers, he asserted. The chief minister also said, "Those rejected in elections could have instigated the violence. Also, I am not writing off the presence of communal radical forces. It could also have been the result of an ultra-Left conspiracy." "They could be of some political party who have lost in the election and now want to cause disturbance in Bengal and try to derail the state's progress under the leadership of Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi." Adhikari also said the government had started repairing the man's house, which was damaged during the violence. Arrangements have also been made to provide old-age pension to Indrajit Mondal's father and aid under the Annapurna scheme to his mother. "I cannot bring Indrajit back. But his killers will receive the most severe punishment," the chief minister said. Indrajit Mondal's elder brother Bapi Mondal said, "The chief minister has assured us of all help. He gave me the appointment letter and asked me to join the job. This is an appointment letter for a civic volunteer at the Baruipur Police District." The chief minister also appealed to people in Baruipur to shun fear and assured them that steps were being taken to maintain law and order. "Those who have spread the fire of violence will now be scared. A new police outpost has been set up here," he said. About his meeting with the family of the girl raped and murdered, Adhikari said police acted on the complaint lodged. "The family had named four persons, and all have been arrested. The guilty will get exemplary punishment." Adhikari also thanked the minor victim's family for cooperating with the investigation. "From the very first day, they helped us. I am grateful to the family. When I met them on Tuesday, they had named four people, and the police have arrested them. The police and STF worked under the supervision of the DGP." On the two cases involving the minor's alleged rape and murder, and the killing of Mondal, the chief minister said there would be custodial trials and strict punishment would be ensured for the guilty. "We will set a precedent. I will monitor everything," he said. Adhikari said the state CID was investigating the lynching of Mondal, and would not comment on that. The victim girl's father expressed satisfaction with the investigation. "The chief minister has said the investigation will continue. We are satisfied with the police probe," he said, adding that there would be house guards at their residences. Adhikari said those involved in violence and damaging public property would face strict action. "Peaceful protests should take place. Democracy needs them, and we welcome them. But those who get involved in vandalism, attack police personnel and place iron beams on railway tracks cannot be patriots. Strict action will be taken against them," he said. The chief minister also blamed illegal liquor vends and drug-related activities for the volatile situation and announced a statewide crackdown on them. "Baruipur's incident has both an action and a cause behind it. I believe illegal liquor dens, cannabis, charas and drugs are a major reason behind such crimes. A special drive will be conducted against them," he said. Adhikari directed the state police chief to launch a two-week special campaign against illegal liquor and narcotics. The state police's STF was regularly recovering drugs during operations on trains and buses, he said and stressed the need for such action in rural areas as well. "Illegal drug networks need to be completely dismantled." The chief minister also inaugurated a police outpost at Surjapur Rural under the Baruipur Police District jurisdiction and urged locals to inform the administration about illegal liquor or drug activities. The body of the 11-year-old girl, who had gone missing on July 4, was found stuffed in a sack in Surjapur Haat area the next day, triggering a protest by locals who blocked the Baruipur-Joynagar Road, burnt tyres and damaged a few police vehicles, demanding the arrest of the accused persons. Hours after the girl's body was recovered on Sunday, Indrajit Mondal was beaten to death by angry locals on suspicion of his involvement in the girl's death. Four people were arrested in connection with the rape-murder case. Out of them, Prabash Mondal was killed in a police encounter when he allegedly tried to snatch the gun of one of the police officers who took him to the spot for reconstruction of the crime scene late Tuesday night. Police have also arrested more than 35 people for their alleged involvement in the vandalism that followed after the girl's body was found. Separately, the chief minister announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for the family of Prasenjit Biswas, who was killed during violence allegedly triggered by a dispute over a football match in the Phultala area of Baruipur. PTI SCH NSD