Mamata Banerjee says Kaliaganj teen had love affair, cites WhatsApp messages: Report
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the teenager who was found dead near a canal in Kaliaganj last week allegedly died due to a romantic relationship, citing "WhatsApp messages" as evidence to support her assertion.
“It's an unfortunate incident. I have seen some WhatsApp messages also. I saw it was a love affair. The police are investigating it,” Banerjee said, reported India Today. “Doctors said she had taken poison. It's a suicide case. The police are investigating.”
The Chief Minister pledged to investigate the case, as well as the violence and arson that occurred on Tuesday.
“We will stand by the victim’s family. But the way hooliganism happened yesterday and the way the police were attacked and property was damaged, I will ask the police to investigate these incidents as well and take action,” she said.
“Even when the body was taken, stones were thrown. I do not support the way the body was taken. But what else could they do?” she asked, according to the India Today report.
Despite the discovery of the girl's body in a canal last week, the initial post-mortem examination report revealed that she had not been subjected to rape, media reports said.
“We have suspended four policemen. I will ask the police not to spare the accused. There is no need to see which party they belong to. Their properties must be attached the way the CBI and ED do. Else this won't stop,” she said, the report added.
However, she blamed Tuesday’s violence in the area on BJP.
“The BJP brought people from Bihar and set the police station on fire, instigating violence. It was a plan. The BJP is doing hooliganism since Delhi (Centre) is behind them,” she alleged, stated the report.
A report in the media quoting a senior police officer said 11 individuals have been arrested for their suspected involvement in the Kaliaganj violence in the Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal, after the death of a girl.
On Wednesday, a large police force was deployed on empty roads.
In certain areas of Kaliaganj, Section 144 of the CrPC, which prohibits the assembly of more than four people, remained in effect.