Suicide triggers attack

Villagers outside Falakata police station on Sunday. Picture by Anirban Choudhury

TT, Alipurduar, July 19: A 25-year-old woman hanged herself yesterday after she was spurned by her purported lover, triggering vandalism, arson and road blockade in a village near here.

Following the suicide by the woman, a mob set on fire the house of her lover and six motorcycles and a car parked on its premises last night.

Police sources said the woman and Rajesh Mahato, 29 had a relationship for almost 10 years. "After she had completed MA in history recently, the woman wanted Rajesh to marry her, but he refused. As the woman's pressure grew, Rajesh took her to Falakata police station on Friday, saying she was compelling him to marry her. The police arrested both of them under CrPC 41 (that enables arrest without a warrant) and she had to spend the whole night at the police station," said a police source.

The woman's maternal uncle said: "Yesterday, the woman and Rajesh were released on bail by a court. Feeling humiliated, she committed suicide yesterday evening."

Hearing about the suicide, the local people became furious and ransacked Rajesh's concrete house. The mob also set ablaze the house, six two-wheelers and a car parked in the compound.

Rajesh and his family members had fled before the attack. The police and fire brigade were also prevented from reaching the spot.

Today, the woman's mother filed a police complaint, blaming Rajesh, his parents and another member of the family for the suicide. Soon, around 200 people surrounded the Falakata police station and blocked NH31 from 11am to 1pm, demanding the arrest of the accused.