Woman raped in IIM Calcutta hostel; Oppn slam law & order

Kolkata: The opposition Congress and CPI(M) on Saturday said the al- leged rape of a woman in IIM (Calcutta) campus, shows the "worsening" law and order situation in West Bengal, and "lapse in security" in a central educational institute where criminals are not scared to commit brutalities on women.

A woman stated to be a psychologist, was allegedly raped by a student when she went inside a hostel of the premier business school to meet the student and attend a counselling session on Friday. The accused has been arrested on the basis of an FIR lodged by the woman at Haridevpur Police Station, an official said.

Around 100 members of Congress staged a protest before the gate of IIM (C) campus demanding an audience with the Director. Congress leader Asutosh Chatterjee said "the security guards are stopping us from entering the campus.

But where was this security for women if the allegation inside the boys' hostel of a premier institute is true? After the South Calcutta Law College gang rape of a woman student by her own college seniors and alumni on campus, now another allegation has surfaced involving a central educational institute. It puts our heads to shame."

He said IIM (C) being a premier educational institution, the BJP government at the Centre cannot escape its responsibility if the incident is confirmed. CPI(M) Central Committee member Sujan Chakraborty said the allegations, if found true, are horrifying and show "increasing lawlessness" under the reign of TMC on one hand and the glaring "loopholes and lacunae" in the security at the campus of a premier central institution on the other.

Union Minister of State for Education and senior BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar told reporters there is strict security at the IIM (C) campus and he will talk to the director about the alleged incident.

Majumdar said state police should undertake a fair and proper investigation into the alleged incident. (PTI)