Rights group condemns arrest of activists in Kolkata

Around 50 activists Friday gathered here to protest the arrest of activists in Kolkata who were agitating against the gang-rape and murder of a girl student in Barasat, about 25 km from Kolkata, a week ago.

The group demanded action against the erring police personnel of West Bengal as well as speedy justice for the victim. The activists were arrested Thursday.

The Citizen's Collective Against Sexual Assault (CCSA) gathered outside the West Bengal Bhavan in the national capital and submitted a letter to the resident commissioner with their demands, which included safeguarding women in the state and proper investigations into the case.

A second-year college student was allegedly abducted, raped and killed by a group of youths June 7 when she was returning home after appearing in an examination in Barasat. Her body was found beside a fishpond.

"Steps should be taken to end instances of violence against women in the state, in consultation with the women rights' and human rights' groups," said the CCSA in the letter.

"A fair trial should be fast-tracked that would enable victims and their families to access justice and lead culprits towards punishment," it added.

Thirteen members of Maitree, a network of women's rights organisations and activists, were arrested for holding a demonstration near South Kolkata's Hazra crossing, close to the residence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.