Kolkata, 28th August 2022: A BSF (Border Security force) constable apprehended an agent and woman trying to illegally enter Bangladesh from India, on 26th August, near the Baghdad border post in North Parganas district of West Bengal.
Two BSF personnel have been arrested for raping a woman who was trying to illegally enter Bangladesh from India. The assistant sub-inspector and constable were handed over to the West Bengal Police for legal action after they were arrested late on Friday night.
A senior BSF official said, “The accused have been suspended, and a Court of Inquiry has been ordered against them.”
The constable took the woman to a nearby field and allegedly raped her, while the assistant sub-inspector helped in the crime. The incident came to light after the woman lodged a complaint with the police.
The incident has triggered a war of words between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). TMC tweeted, ‘Our country is becoming unsafe for women under BJP’s misrule! Mr Amit Shah (Union Home Minister), under your watch, a BSF officer and jawan raped a woman and threatened her with dire consequences if she raised her voice. A shining example of a truly self-reliant India!’
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh has appealed to the Union Home Ministry to apologize on this matter. Condemning the incident, Ghosh said, “The BSF jawans, who are expected to stop smuggling along the International Border, are raping a Bengali woman and throwing her child away.” BSF jawans are stationed on the border. Despite this, how are animals smuggled? Trinamool is being maligned over coal and cattle.
On the other hand, BJP hit back saying that TMC should not tarnish the image of the entire BSF due to such sporadic incidents. BJP spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya said, “Such comments of TMC are unacceptable. You cannot defame the entire BSF because of such sporadic incidents. If anyone has committed an offence, action will be taken against him under the law.”