Kolkata: In the backdrop of back-to-back encounters, CM Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday reiterated his govt’s zero-tolerance approach towards crimes against women, asserting that police have been given a free hand to take necessary action against those accused of rape, gang rape and sexual harassment.Speaking after an administrative meet in North Dinajpur’s Raiganj, Adhikari said his govt would not compromise on women’s safety and warned that those who disrespect women will face serious consequences. “Whatever needs to be done will be done. Women have nothing to worry about. I have given police a free hand,” he said.Adhikari said police would take appropriate action in cases involving serious crimes against women, invoking the cultural and religious significance of women in Indian society and urging people to remain vigilant.The CM said police personnel would be expected to assess situations on the spot and act accordingly, adding that he would stand by officers taking action within the scope of their duties.Adhikari’s words came on a day police said a total of 12 rounds were fired in the two “encounters” at Gaighata and Shamsherganj on Tuesday.Meanwhile, a forensics team visited the Shamsherganj encounter spot — where Samaul Haque was fatally shot — on Thursday with the three other accused in the case. Experts checked the broken window of a room and samples were collected to measure the distance for a ballistic test.Haque had allegedly snatched a revolver from one DSP-rank officer. An inspector had fired twice after CID claimed Haque misfired twice after snatching the firearm.Samaul’s wife Rajeda Khatun said: “I know my husband might be proven innocent in future but we now need govt help to feed my old in-laws and two minors.”At Gaighata, police said seven rounds were fired during the early-morning encounter following which rape-murder accused Prahlad Das died. During the alleged escape attempt, Prahlad snatched SI Abhik Kotal’s service revolver and fired three rounds, striking the police vehicle’s windowpane and injuring Kotal in the hands and legs.Kotal, who is undergoing treatment at Bongaon Sub-Divisional Super Speciality Hospital, has been praised for his courage. Kotal, who joined Bengal Police in 2021, hails from Diamond Harbour.But Prahlad’s mother Rekha rejected the official narrative, questioning the encounter and demanding state compensation. She alleged foul play surrounding Prahlad’s death.(Written with inputs from Sanjib Chakraborty, Sukumar Mahato, Dwaipayan Ghosh & Soumitra Nandi)
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