Tension prevailed in Belpahari in Jhargram district on Friday as hundreds of people took to the streets demanding stringent punishment for a BJP worker accused of allegedly raping a 14-year-old tribal schoolgirl. Protesters blocked the state highway for nearly seven hours, from around 9 am to 5 pm, disrupting traffic on several key routes in the area.
Women Join Protest Demanding Justice
Residents from several villages participated in the demonstration, with a significant number of women among the protesters. They raised slogans demanding justice for the minor and strict action against the accused. At several locations, protesters allegedly set fire to wood and other materials on the road during the blockade. A large police contingent was deployed in the area to prevent any escalation and maintain law and order.
Minor Allegedly Assaulted in Forested Area
According to the complaint, the incident allegedly took place on August 23. The accused, identified as Roopkumar Das, a toto driver and alleged BJP activist, is accused of taking the minor girl to a forested area while she was reportedly travelling to a private tuition class. The girl, who belongs to the tribal community, was allegedly taken into the forest and sexually assaulted. She was also allegedly subjected to physical violence. Following the complaint, police arrested the accused and initiated an investigation.
Protests have reportedly been continuing in the area for several days since the allegations surfaced. However, Friday’s demonstration assumed a larger scale, with residents from different villages joining the agitation.
Protesters Allege Attempt to Settle Case
Protesters alleged that while the accused was in police custody, some local BJP leaders organised a meeting in the village in an alleged attempt to settle the matter. According to the protesters, the victim’s family was allegedly offered money to withdraw the complaint. These allegations have intensified anger among local residents.
However, the claims regarding the alleged mediation meeting and offer of money have not been independently verified. The protesters demanded that the investigation be conducted impartially and that the accused face the strictest punishment if found guilty.
Blockade Spreads Across State Highway
The agitation began at Etala intersection under Bhulaveda gram panchayat and spread along the Shilda-Bankura State Highway No. 5. A substantial gathering was also reported at Shilda Tinmathar intersection. As the protest continued, people from neighbouring villages joined the demonstration.
Protesters raised slogans such as “We Want Justice” and demanded severe punishment for the accused. Some participants also lit torches and fires on the road. The prolonged blockade severely disrupted traffic between Jhargram, Bankura and Belpahari. Vehicles remained stranded for several hours, causing considerable inconvenience to commuters and local residents.
Police personnel were deployed at the protest sites from the morning. As the number of protesters increased, additional forces were reportedly brought in to prevent the situation from deteriorating.
Protesters Question Administration’s Handling of Case
The protesters also raised questions about the handling of the case by the administration. They questioned the alleged delay in recording the minor’s statement before a magistrate and sought clarification over how a village-level meeting could allegedly be organised while the accused was in police custody.
Some protesters alleged that there had been administrative inaction and an attempt to suppress or settle the matter. They demanded that the authorities ensure the victim’s safety and conduct the investigation without political interference. The allegations against the administration and local political leaders remain matters for investigation and could not be independently verified.
Protest Brings Up Earlier Political Violence
The demonstration also brought renewed attention to longstanding political tensions in the area. Some local residents alleged that two members of the accused’s family had previously been associated with the killing of six CPI(M) workers, including Sameer Mukherjee, in Bhulaveda in 1993. Protesters claimed that members of the family are currently associated with the BJP and alleged that the accused is also an active BJP worker.
Blockade Ends After Police Assurances
The blockade continued until after 5 pm. It was eventually withdrawn following assurances from the police that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the law. However, sections of the protesters warned that they would resume their agitation if they were not satisfied with the progress of the investigation or if the accused did not face stringent legal action.
