New Delhi [India], October 13 : Congress leader Supriya Shrinate condemned the Durgapur gangrape case, calling crimes against women a disgrace that transcends party politics.
She urged the West Bengal government and police to swiftly apprehend and punish the culprits, highlighting that four or five suspects may have been arrested, and stressed the need for exemplary punishment.
Shrinate further expressed deep concern over the recurring violence against women in Bengal.
"Wherever there is heinous crime, atrocity, or harassment against half the population, it is completely wrong, and we should all condemn it unanimously. The brutality, the cruelty, the violence against girls that continues even today is a disgrace and a stain on all of us. First, I appeal and hope that the Bengal government and the Bengal police will swiftly apprehend the culprits in this case, perhaps four or five have been arrested, and be punished as quickly as possible. Let this be an example. But I will still say that crimes against women anywhere transcend party politics. Why this is happening in Bengal is a matter of deep concern," she told ANI.
The gangrape has sparked massive outrage, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to protect women. At the same time, the ruling TMC slammed the BJP for allegedly politicising the incident.
The second-year student of a private medical college was allegedly gangraped on Friday night. The survivor hails from Odisha.
The West Bengal Police have arrested five people so far in connection with the case.
A three-member team of the Odisha State Commission for Women, led by chairperson Sovana Mohanty, will visit Durgapur and meet the survivor's family on Monday.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, National Commission for Women (NCW) member Archana Majumdar visited Durgapur to investigate the recent gangrape case, following directions from the NCW chairperson to take suo motu cognisance.
Majumdar met with the victim's family, students, and local authorities, including the Superintendent of Police (SP) and the Officer-in-Charge (OC).