Dacoits allegedly rape nun in Bengal

A 70-year-old nun at a convent in West Bengal's Nadia district was allegedly gang raped by dacoits in the early hours of Saturday, police said.

Strongly condemning the incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the matter.

"We strongly condemn the incident that took place at the Ranaghat Convent. The CID will be examining all aspects to this horrific crime. Swift, strongest action to be taken," said Banerjee.

The incident happened early on Saturday around 2 a.m. at the school Convent of Jesus and Mary in Ranaghat, some 80 km from Kolkata.

"The nun was allegedly raped by the dacoits when she tried to prevent them looting the valuables inside the church. The victim has been hospitalised with critical injuries," said a police officer.

Kolkata archbishop Thomas D'Souza, who visited the convent, said that the CCTV cameras have captured three of the culprits.

"Around six to eight men barged into the convent and ransacked. They looted money and attacked on of our elderly sisters. The CCTV footages show three of the culprits who attacked the convent," said D'Souza.

While locals blocked road and rail traffic in protest against the rape after the news broke out, students staged a candle lit march later in the day.

The incident has attracted widespread condemnation.

While Women against Sexual Violence and State Repression (WSS) - a network of women from diverse political and social movements - strongly condemned the 'gruesome act', the United State Forum for all denominational Christians, said the incident is a part of a "greater conspiracy".

"The incident is not merely a case of ordinary robbery but a part of some greater conspiracy," Herod Mullick of the Christian forum said.

Leader of opposition and Communist Party of India-Marxist politburo member Surjya Kanta Mishra too condemned the incident and expressed concern over the increasing crimes against women in the state.