Trinamool Congress has given patronage to hoodlums and criminals, alleges Brinda Karat

Commenting on the alleged gang-rape of a tribal woman in West Bengal's Birbhum District, Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat on Friday said that criminals and anti social forces are being patronized by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to terrorize political opponents and women are suffering because of that.

"Criminals and anti social forces are patronized by TMC led by Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, to terrorize political opponents, and women are suffering because of that, as they are the most vulnerable targets," said Karat.

"A young tribal woman was gang raped as a 'punishment'. First she was asked for money which the family couldn't afford so they raped her brutally. Obviously this is a crime which cannot be tolerated at all," she said.

"It is such a horrendous case, that even if Mamata Banerjee wanted to save the people concerned, she could not do it, although she has done it in numerous other cases," she added.

She further said that such incidents were taking place in West Bengal as the people who are committing these crimes get political patronage.

"In WB such incidents against women are being tolerated, because what is happening in WB is a naked display of political patronage to the criminal, which is affecting the women's security," said Karat

"I believe that it is the entire political leadership of that district that is responsible for the incident, because some of the most horrendous statements have been emanating from the leaders of the TMC in the district, which allow workers of different villages and blocks to act the way they do," she added.

A 20-year-old tribal woman was allegedly gang-raped on Monday night on the order of the village Kangaroo court presided by village head, who decided to punish the girl for having an affair with a boy from a different community.

She was admitted to the Labhpur primary health centre but was later transferred to Siuri hospital.

The parents of the victim filed a complaint with the Labhpur police station, and so far five people have been arrested.