Agartala, August 12:
The alleged kidnapping and gang rape of an MBB College student has triggered a sharp political confrontation in Tripura, with CPI(M)-backed student, youth and women’s organisations accusing the BJP-led government of failing to protect women and maintain law and order.
The opposition groups staged a protest outside the East Agartala Women Police Station on Wednesday, demanding the immediate arrest of those allegedly involved in the incident and justice for the survivor.
According to the allegations, the young woman, was kidnapped in a car on Monday while returning home from MBB College and was allegedly gang-raped at a location near Agartala before being abandoned.
She was later rescued and, following preliminary medical treatment, lodged a complaint with the police.
In an emotional audio-video message, the alleged survivor made a direct appeal to Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, seeking justice and stringent action against those accused in the case.
She further alleged that the kidnappers who seemed to be outsiders had contacted her husband over phone and demanded a ransom of ₹10 lakh.
According to her account, inside the car the accused tied her hands and legs and sprayed an unidentified substance on her face, following which she lost consciousness.
She alleged that the accused later snatched her gold chain and sexually assaulted her. Before releasing her, they threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the incident to anyone.
Meantime, addressing the protest, CPI(M) youth leader Sandipan Deb launched a scathing attack on the government, questioning its claim of “good governance” and alleging that the administration had failed to ensure women’s safety.
“Where is the good governance that was promised?” Deb asked, alleging that the alleged gang rape in and around the state capital exposed the deteriorating law-and-order situation.
He claimed that even after more than 24 hours of the complaint being registered, the accused had not been arrested. The delay, he said, had raised serious questions over the police administration’s response to crimes against women.
Deb also cited other recent incidents involving alleged violence against women and students while accusing the government of remaining “silent and indifferent” to growing concerns over public safety.
A delegation of the protesting organisations met the Officer-in-Charge of the East Agartala Women Police Station and demanded immediate arrests and exemplary punishment for those found responsible.
The CPI(M) leader warned that failure to arrest the accused would lead to a larger agitation across the state.
The allegations made by the survivor and the opposition could not independently be verified from the available information. The police response and the latest status of the investigation were not immediately available.
