Howrah:
A Trinamool Congress worker has been arrested in Howrah district of West Bengal in connection with the alleged gang-rape of two women who are from a family of CPM supporters.
Barun Makhal, a TMC Panchayat candidate, allegedly led seven others in the assault on Tuesday night. He was arrested by the police yesterday and will be produced in court today. The seven other accused were arrested earlier and are said to be linked to the state's ruling Trinamool Congress.
The women were allegedly gang-raped on Tuesday night at their home in village Muktirchak that is said to be dominated by CPM supporters. The older woman, who is in her 40s, is the younger woman's husband's aunt. Their husbands had reportedly fled about a month ago after a fight with Trinamool supporters, so no one was around to help them when the attackers allegedly barged in after cutting off power to the village and allegedly took turns raping the women.
Villagers have said the attackers "punished" the women as their husbands are Left supporters.
"This is completely political and barbaric, the message the Trinamool Congress is sending is those who have not voted for them will be targeted like this," said Politburo member Brinda Karat.