Is a Kolkata Police Officer Accused of Assaulting Schoolgirls?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of police brutality against schoolgirls have surfaced in Kolkata.
- Video evidence has sparked outrage and demands for action.
- Concerns about the education system's state have been raised.
- Political leaders are calling for accountability from the government.
- The incident highlights the need for police reform and transparency.
Kolkata, Sep 17 (NationPress) A police officer has come under fire for allegedly physically assaulting female students at a girls' high school located in the northern outskirts of Kolkata, leading to significant outrage and criticism from the Opposition.
This alarming incident was highlighted after a video depicting the alleged assault circulated widely on social media on Wednesday.
The officer in question has been identified as Jonaki Bagchi, who serves as the inspector-in-charge of the Rajarhat Police Station, operating under the jurisdiction of the Bidhannagar City Police.
The video, which emerged on Wednesday morning, reportedly shows the officer entering the premises of Rajarhat Annakali Girls High School and engaging in physical violence against the girl students.
The Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, posted the video on his official social media account, claiming that the police officer was observed touching and even punching female students as an attempt to quell their protests.
Adhikari stated that the students were demonstrating against the long absence of their Bengali teacher, who had not attended school for eight months. He accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government of having severely damaged the state's education system.
"Over eight thousand government schools have shut down in the state, and those that remain open are in such poor condition that students from middle- and lower-middle-class families are forced to pay for private schooling," Adhikari claimed.
The Opposition Leader expressed concern about whether the police would take appropriate action against Bagchi, who, despite being a male officer, entered a girls' school and allegedly assaulted the students.
Meanwhile, a senior BJP leader stated that unless the state government takes disciplinary measures against the accused officer, the party will escalate the issue significantly, including pursuing legal action and involving the National Commission for Women.
In light of the viral video, senior officials from Bidhannagar Police Station have refrained from commenting, and members of the ruling Trinamool Congress have also chosen to remain silent.