Cooch Behar, West Bengal, witnessed a horrifying crime when a man the minor girl called ‘Dadi Ji’ turned predator. The 63-year-old Shemutun Mia from Mekhliganj’s Jamaldah was nabbed by police following allegations of raping a sixth-standard student near a riverbank.
Details emerged on Sunday after the Thursday assault. The girl ventured to the river for firewood when the elderly neighbor approached, feigning kindness. He then brandished a sharp object, silenced her cries, and violated her. A passing local woman heard the commotion, chased him away, and safely returned the child home.
Fear gripped the family as the accused issued threats, stalling their police complaint for days. But community anger boiled over. Locals escorted the family to the station Saturday evening, leading to immediate arrest.
Speaking to reporters, the traumatized girl described, ‘I was drying clothes by the river. Dadi Ji called me for wood. Then he threatened and… did that to me.’
Police confirmed, ‘Accused arrested; POCSO case filed.’
Fury exploded into protests Saturday night. Demonstrators torched tires on the highway, hurled stones, paralyzing the area. Station head Mohammad Shahbaz was slightly hurt. Police used batons, detaining agitators to restore order.
This tragedy exposes deep flaws in rural safety nets for children. While arrest brings initial relief, it fuels calls for vigilant policing, community awareness, and severe penalties to deter such monsters masquerading as trusted figures. The investigation continues amid public scrutiny.