**Three Arrested in Durgapur Student Rape Case; Police Use Drones to Locate Missing Accused**
Kolkata: West Bengal police on Sunday arrested three individuals in connection with the Durgapur student rape case. With two more alleged accused still missing, authorities deployed drones to search the nearby forest area to determine if they had fled.
According to police sources, the three arrested accused— all residents of Durgapur—were presented before the court and subsequently granted 10 days of police custody.
Speaking to the media, the victim’s father expressed his demand for strict punishment to prevent such incidents from recurring. “I have heard that three accused have been arrested. I would appeal to the Chief Minister to give strict punishment to all the culprits so that such a crime doesn’t get repeated and all women of Bengal are safe,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abhaya Manch, an organization formed after the rape and murder of a junior medic from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, along with a joint forum of doctors, visited the Durgapur college. They criticized the state government for failing to take necessary actions to curb such crimes.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed the issue by assuring that the culprits will face stringent punishment. However, she also urged female students residing in hostels to avoid venturing out late at night. “Girl children should not be allowed to go out at night. They have to protect themselves. I am condemning the crime and also mentioning that we have zero tolerance towards crime, but female students who are staying in hostels should adhere to the norms of the hostel. I have heard that the victim came out at 12:30 in the wee hours. What was the need to go out then? The police cannot visit every house to inquire who is going where,” she said.
The Chief Minister also emphasized that private medical colleges must take responsibility for their students’ safety.
However, Mamata Banerjee’s remarks sparked controversy, with opposition parties alleging that the Chief Minister lacks accountability regarding women’s safety in the state.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/durgapur-student-rape-case-3-arrested-2-still-on-the-run-video
