A man from Kolkata's Tiljala area was arrested for killing his neighbour's seven-year-old daughter as a "human sacrifice" to have a child of his own. The victim's body was found in a jute sack at the accused's residence in Tiljala, South Kolkata. The girl had multiple injuries, reported news agency IANS.
The murder of the seven-year-old girl sparked violent protests by locals on Monday. The body of the victim, who lived in a flat on Sridhar Roy Road, was discovered at the neighbour's flat. She had been missing since Sunday morning.
The accused, Aloke Kumar who hailed from Bihar, confessed to "sacrificing" the child at the directions of a tantrik. The latter had assured Aloke that the sacrifice of a minor girl would bless him with a child. According to IANS, The tantrik, also from Bihar, is yet to be arrested. According to news agency PTI, the girl was allegedly sexually molested by Aloke Kumar. The body has been sent for autopsy.
Kumar said his wife had suffered three miscarriages and that's why he contacted the tantrik, who suggested the sacrifice of a minor girl. When his wife became pregnant again, the tantrik told him to go ahead with the sacrifice so that he could get a healthy child.
The girl's parents reported her missing on Sunday afternoon when she failed to return from a nearby garbage-bin. The police immediately suspected that the girl could be in one of the adjacent residences.
A search was launched in all the residences in the area, and finally, the girl's body was found at Aloke Kumar's house late on Sunday. The accused was immediately arrested.
The incident agitated the locals, who staged a massive protest outside the Tiljala Police Station, demanding that the accused be handed over to them. The protesters alleged that the police delayed in searching for the missing girl. The police had to resort to lathicharge to bring the situation under control. Three persons, including a woman, were detained for their alleged involvement in the vandalism. This sparked further retaliation by locals who are now demanding the release of the three.
Road and train traffic were affected as the protesters blocked EM Bypass and railway tracks outside Sealdah railway station. The protesters even vandalised three police vehicles, and one of them was torched. Visuals by news agency ANI showed battered and burning bikes and cars.