NCW flags Durgapur lapses; BJP launches 'Operation Lal Mirch' for 'self-defence'

Evenas the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognisance of the alleged gang rape of a second-year MBBS student of a private medical college in Durgapur late on Friday night (October 10) and flagged lapses, the West Bengal BJP today launched Operation Lal Mirch, distributing red chilly powder to women in Kolkata for “self-defence” amid “worsening law and order” in the State.

- SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

NCW member Archana Majumdar — who visited Durgapur and met the victim, her parents, and the attending doctors on October 11 — has submitted a fact-finding report to the Commission.

In the report, the NCW directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to submit a comprehensive security audit report of the private medical college to the NCW within a month, including details of CCTV coverage, functionality, and student welfare measures.

According to Majumdar’s report, the victim stated that she and her male friend had gone out to buy dinner when they noticed three men on a motorcycle following them. Initially, her friend allegedly ignored the men, assuming they would leave, but when the motorcycle “continued to follow them”, they panicked and ran towards a wooded area. The male friend “managed to escape”, but the girl was allegedly raped by one of the accused.