Siliguri: Minor girl killed after head smashed with brick; VHP calls for 12-hour strike

Siliguri (West Bengal): A 12-hour general strike has been called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday to protest against the murder of a minor Hindu girl in Siliguri, West Bengal.

Head Smashed with Brick

The body of the girl was found by local inhabitants in a forested area in Matigara. A brick apparently used to fatally injure the minor by smashing her head, was also recovered from the location, the police said.

Hindu Women Target: VHP

The VHP has accused Hindu women and girls are being targeted in West Bengal, and the Chief Minister has failed to take any action to address the issue.

VHP Trying to Disturb Bengal: Goutam Deb

Former state tourism minister and mayor of Siliguri, Goutam Deb termed it a very shameful incident. 

"We have faith in the judiciary system and justice will be delivered to the deceased and her family. Organisations like VHP are always trying to disturb Bengal," the Mayor said.

Accused Arrested

DCP Abhishek Gupta of Siliguri Metropolitan Police mentioned that the accused in the murder case has been arrested. The accused was arrested from his house on Monday night and has been taken into police custody for two weeks, according to the police.

"The minor girl was murdered at an abandoned place in Siliguri's Matigara area on Monday, as she was returning home from her school. The person who allegedly attempted to sexually assault the minor girl and then killed her has been apprehended," stated the DCP.

A heavy police force has been deployed in sensitive areas of the city. All shops are closed, and only a few government and private vehicles are on the roads.

(With inputs  from ANI)