Minor's rape-murder in Bengal: Ensure culprits get death, CM tells cops

West Bengal Chief Minister CM Mamata Banerjee on Sunday directed the police to register the case of a minors rapemurder in Bengalunder the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act and emphasised that the culprits should face capital punishment within three months news agency PTI reportedAccording to PTI while addressing attendees at the Kolkata Police Body Guard Lines after virtually inaugurating several Durga Pujas Banerjee asserted that crime transcends colour caste and religionIn West Bengal we have successfully secured capital punishment in three cases I want the police to register the Kultuli case under POCSO Act and ensure that the culprits receive capital punishment within three months Crime is crime it knows no religion or caste Strong action must be taken against the criminals she statedWhile speaking about the case of the minors rapemurder in Bengal Banerjee also expressed concern over media trials in rape cases and called for an end to such practices as they could hinder investigations Referring to the protests in Kultuli following the recovery of the 10yearolds body she said protests must also be taken against harmful content on social media that negatively influences children and fuels criminal behaviour Those protesting I encourage you to do so as it strengthens our resolve and is your democratic right However remember that the inappropriate videos circulating on social media are damaging our children and contributing to rising crime rates among them I do not hold the protesters responsible for this she saidThe CM remarked on the disproportionate attention given to incidents in West Bengal compared to similar events elsewhere stating Whenever a small incident occurs in West Bengal there is a great uproar Yet when similar cases happen in other places people often remain silentBanerjee alleged that Artificial Intelligence AI was being exploited to create fake videos urging the public not to blindly trust any footage depicting her speeches without proper verification In todays world of AI it is easy for people to mislead you with fake videos Cybercrime is rampant and fraudsters are aiding criminals she warnedShe called on women to identify and expose fake videos by sharing them on their social media accounts labelling them as false I encourage women to post any misleading videos on their Facebook or Twitter accounts tagging them as fake Such actions could be rewarded and may even lead to job opportunities she added while speaking about the minors rapemurder in BengalKnown for her fondness for Bengali television shows Banerjee also criticised current crimethemed serials for sending the wrong message to the public reported PTI I have repeatedly urged that crimes should not be depicted in TV serials Many cinema scripts are filled with crime Whenever I come across such serials I turn off the television Arent they accountable Do they not have any responsibility she questionedPraising the Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police Banerjee reaffirmed The state government stands firmly behind our police forces In this age those who work diligently will inevitably face criticism We must remain strong and handle such challenges Stay calm externally but bold internally Do not forgive those who commit heinous acts take decisive action even if mistakes occur during the course of dutyAdditionally she expressed a desire to increase female representation in the police force We currently have more women in the police In the near future we will employ more women for the Winners Force I want to see even more women joining the police the Chief Minister statedThe body of the 10yearold girl who was allegedly raped and murdered was discovered in Kultuli South 24 Parganas on Saturday Following this grim revelation local residents vandalised a police outpost and damaged parked vehicles according to a senior officer