World · India Bureau
Bengal CM backs police action in Raiganj encounter shooting
West Bengal's Chief Minister has defended a police encounter that resulted in the death of a man accused of raping and murdering a 13-year-old child, asserting that law enforcement personnel are entitled to use force in self-defence.
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The Chief Minister's statement came hours after the accused was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police in Raiganj. The man was facing charges related to the rape and murder of his 13-year-old niece in the district.
Defending the police action, the CM stated that officers have the right to retaliate when their lives are under threat during operations. The remarks underscore the government's position on encounters involving criminal suspects who allegedly pose a danger to law enforcement personnel.
The incident has reignited debate over police encounters in the state, a practice that has drawn scrutiny from human rights organisations and legal experts. Questions have been raised about the circumstances surrounding such operations and the need for independent investigations into deaths that occur during police actions.
The case involving the minor victim had drawn significant public attention and triggered demands for swift justice. The accused's death in the encounter has closed one chapter of the investigation, though the circumstances of the shooting remain subject to official review procedures.