Taking cognisance of a media report about a baby being thrown away by miscreants in violence-hit Sandeshkhali in West Bengal, the national child rights body, NCPCR, issued a notice to the North 24 Parganas district magistrate and sought an investigation into the matter.
Sandeshkhali, which is around 74 km from the capital Kolkata, has been on the boil after several women launched a protest over alleged atrocities committed against them by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh and his aides.
In its letter to the district magistrate, the NCPCR, calling the incident “distressing”, said a group of miscreants, accompanied by police officials, allegedly assaulted a woman on February 10.
The report said the miscreants barged into the woman’s house and physically assaulted her by grabbing her hair. The commission, quoting the report, said the miscreants also snatched the woman’s infant daughter and “callously” threw her away.
SANDESHKHALI: COMMISSION SEEKS ACTION-TAKEN REPORT IN 48 HOURS
The child rights body sought a prompt and thorough investigation into the incident by the district administration. Besides, the commission also sought required medical treatment of the child and the safety and security of the family.
The NCPCR also called for proper rehabilitation and re-settlement of the family, compensation, and action against the alleged perpetrators.
The commission has also sought an action-taken report on the incident, with relevant documents, within 48 hours.
Sandeshkhali has been tense since the past week and has also witnessed clashes between the BJP and police after women protesters claimed that TMC goons had captured their land by force and were sexually harassing them.
Sheikh has been absconding since January after a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which went to conduct searches in his house in connection with a ration case, was attacked by a mob.