KOLKATA: Harrowing incidents of crimes against women continue to emerge from across India in the wake of a viral video showing tribal women being paraded naked in riot-Manipur. A similar video has now emerged from Malda in West Bengal.
The viral video captures a brutal assault and humiliation of two women in full public view in Pakuahat area of Malda district on July 19. As per the police, the two women were accused of theft by local women.
It shows several women tearing off the victim’s clothes as they cling onto each other to cover their private parts in order to protect their dignity. What is more shocking is that no one from a crowd of more than 100 people intervened. Instead, many of them can be seen recording the assault on their mobile phones.
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As of now, no formal complaint has been lodged with the West Bengal Police, but police were made aware of the incident after the video surfaced on social media. The police have initiated an investigation into the matter.
The police said that the two women were caught red-handed committing the theft, which led to their brutal treatment by local women shopkeepers. The police have assured that a case will be filed promptly in response to this grave incident.
Amit Malviya, BJP’s co-incharge of West Bengal, expressed outrage at the incident, stating, “The horror continues in West Bengal. Two Tribal women were stripped naked, tortured, and beaten mercilessly, while the police remained passive observers in Pakua Hat area of Bamangola Police Station, Malda.”
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“The appalling incident took place on the morning of 19th July. The women belonged to a socially marginalized community and had a frenzied mob baying for her blood… It had all the making of a tragedy that should have deeply affected Mamata Banerjee’s heart. As the Home Minister of Bengal, she could have taken immediate action instead of merely expressing outrage,” Malviya added.
Bengal state BJP president Dr. Sukanta Majumdar also condemned the incident, questioning the lack of response from the ruling party. “Another horrific incident involving Tribal women in WB. Two Tribal women were stripped naked & beaten mercilessly in Malda. Like other heinous incidents, Didi (referring to Mamata Banerjee) is silent & not taking any action in her own rule. Why I.N.D.I.A. isn’t condemning this?” he remarked.
As of now, there has been no official reaction from the Trinamool Congress regarding this shocking incident.