A jawan of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been arrested for allegedly attempting to rape a 10-year-old girl in West Bengalâs Asansol, an incident that led to protests and a road blockade, officials said on Monday.
The alleged crime took place on Sunday afternoon in West Burdwan district, near the Lal Bazar area, close to a CISF camp. According to local accounts, two girls aged five and ten had entered the residential quarters to pluck raw mangoes.
The accused, identified as Ramakant Vishwakarma, 40, allegedly approached the children and lured them with the promise of giving more mangoes. He then took them on his scooter to another nearby quarter.
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Girl raises alarm, accused escapes
Police sources said the younger child was made to wait outside, while the 10-year-old was taken inside the quarter. There, the accused allegedly attempted to sexually assault her.
The girl raised an alarm, prompting the accused to flee the spot on his scooter.
Locals stage protest, block road
As news of the incident spread, residents gathered outside the CISF camp and demanded immediate action. A road blockade was set up at Shitalpur Gate No. 3, with protesters insisting they would continue until the accused was arrested.
The girlâs father, along with local Trinamool Congress trade union leader Ratan Masih, lodged a written complaint at the Saktoria outpost.
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Police officials said the accused was detained within hours and later arrested. A case is being registered under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
Local TMC leader Chandan Acharya said, âTensions escalated after the incident, but police acted swiftly and arrested the accused.â
Reportedly, officials clarified that the accused had no role in election-related deployment and was posted in the area for coal mine security duties.
