Darjeeling MP Raju Bista has appealed to Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose, the Governor of West Bengal, to intervene and facilitate a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the distressing incident of attempted sexual assault and murder of a minor child in Matigara.
In his communication with the Governor, Bista expressed concerns regarding the track record of the West Bengal government, which he alleges has provided shelter and support to illegal immigrants and criminal elements in the region. He highlighted concerns that a fair investigation might be stalled due to the state government’s control over police operations and the centralized direction of investigations from Nabanna.
“Even though the Siliguri Police have arrested the accused Mohammad Abbas from Lenin Colony, Matigara which is also locally known as Chhota Pakistan, however the people from our region are not satisfied with the fact that despite the accused confessing to sexual assault being the primary motive, the police FIR does not contain any sections under the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,” Bista underscored in his letter. He attributed this dissatisfaction to the perceived lack of freedom within the police force and feared that the state government might manipulate the investigation to protect the culprit.
Bista emphasized that the murder is a direct affront to the children of North Bengal, citing a precarious environment where children’s safety is compromised both at school and at home. He attributed this scenario to the West Bengal government’s alleged support for illegal immigrant settlements in sensitive border areas. He criticized the Chief Minister’s opposition to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) survey, asserting that such stances embolden criminal elements and illegal immigrants.
Bista contended that criminals perceive protection under the ruling party, while ordinary citizens live in fear. He described West Bengal as having become a sanctuary for criminals and illegal immigrants under the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party.
He concluded by advocating for an impartial CBI investigation, asserting that only such an inquiry can unveil the complete truth, including the deliberate settlement of illegal immigrants in the region. Bista asserted that justice for the victim and her family can only be achieved through an unbiased investigation and that the intervention of the CBI is crucial to shed light on the matter.