Woman accuses BSF jawan of molesting her

HOWRAH: A day before Uluberia goes to polls, Kulgachhia locals chased down a BSF jawan and handed him over to police after he molested a woman out on her morning walk on Sunday. Trinamool Congress has moved EC, urging the poll body to ensure women's safety during the election.

Following the woman's complaint, cops have sent a notice to the chief of the BSF's unit and asked him to join the investigation. Information has also been sent to the EC by police. Howrah Rural Police superintendent Swati Bhangalia said: "All legal formalities have been completed after informing the EC. We have started a probe."

In her complaint, the woman stated that she was out for a walk around 6 am. The village road was deserted and two BSF jawans in uniform allegedly made objectionable gestures at her and gave her an indecent proposal. As she protested, the accused jawan forcibly hugged and kissed her. After the woman raised an alarm, the villagers rushed to the spot and caught hold of him. The other jawan managed to escape.

An investigation officer said, "A case has been registered under IPC sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 354 (outraging a woman's modesty) and 506 (criminal intimidation)."

"The person concerned has been removed and necessary investigation has been initiated," said a senior BSF officer.

State woman and child development minister Sashi Panja said: "This is unacceptable. The central force jawans had the audacity to physically abuse a woman in broad daylight. We demand the strongest possible action. This is part of a calculated attempt to defame Bengal and terrorise women. If anyone - even those in uniform - think they can get away after such heinous acts, no they cannot."