Girls of a madarsah in Beldanga block in Murshidabad visited the local police station and expressed their apprehensions and uneasiness about travelling alone because of teasing on the roads.

The girls said they face catcalls when they go for tuition in the evening and also on the way to school in the morning or when they are returning home, they said.

Such teasing is not new but the rape and the murder of the 31-year-old postgraduate trainee at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has left them terrified, the girls have shared with their teachers.

The madarsah organised a visit to Beldanga police station last Friday and 50 students from Classes VI to XII went to meet the authorities.

“The girls expressed their apprehensions and asked for more security. They told the police officials that they feel threatened and scared when they are subjected to such taunts and teasing on the roads,” said an official of the madarsah.

“Such episodes of boys standing at street corners and giving catcalls or making them uncomfortable is not new but the incident at the RG Kar hospital has made the girls more scared,” said the official.

Many of these girls — who are first-generation school goers — fight difficult circumstances to get an education. The push to get married is strong, yet some opposed it and go to school every day.

Class VIII student said she ignored such “teasing”.

“But at times boys will ask for our phone numbers and some will forcefully hand over a slip of paper with their phone numbers. It makes me uncomfortable,” said the 14-year-old, who walks to school.

A Class XII student said returning from tuition around 7.30 or 8pm sometimes becomes a nightmare. “We cycle back and sometimes we see boys on a motorbike crossing our paths. It does not happen every day but when it does, it scares us. We asked the police that if we came to them for help would they protect us?” said the 17-year-old.

The girls either walk, cycle or use public transport like an e-rickshaw to reach school. Most of them travel on their own or in groups.

“Some of them come from neighbouring villages, crossing the highway. During the winter months by the time they go back home, it is almost evening. They have read and heard about the incident at the RG Kar and it has disturbed them,” said a geography teacher.

The girls stayed at the police station for about an hour and learnt about general diary and an FIR (first information report).

“The girls were heard and we have and patrolling in the locality. But if they feel there is a need for more, we can enhance our patrolling. If they face anything, or hear about it, whether its child marriage, cyber crime or feeling unsafe, they can report to us, even on the phone and we will take a legal step,” said an officer of Murshidabad police district.