Rekha Sharma, the chairperson for the National Commission for Women, slammed Malda district police on Tuesday in connection with the atrocity against two women reported in Pakuahat of the district last month.

On July 18, an angry mob assaulted and tore the clothes of two Scheduled Caste women at a rural market of Pakuahat, suspecting them to be cell phone thieves.

“It was appalling that a group of people were assaulting and stripping the women but the civic volunteer posted there couldn’t do anything. What is more concerning is that the police, instead of providing medical treatment to the victims, arrested them and made them stay behind bars for six days,” said Sharma.

On Tuesday morning, Sharma reached here by train from Calcutta. From Malda Town station, Sharma, accompanied by BJP MLA of Englishbazar Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, headed for the village where the two women, who are sisters-in-law, stay.

Sharma met the two women and took note of their ordeal.

“The women were made to sit at the police station in torn clothes. Even primary medical treatment was not given. The police of Bamangola police station are responsible for the duo's torment. We will not spare the police officers and other policemen concerned. If required, we will consult legal experts and file a suit at the Supreme Court so that such officers are punished,” the NCW chairperson added.

So far, the police have arrested five persons, including three women, in connection with the mob violence against the women. A departmental inquiry has started against four police officers posted at Bamangola police station and Pakuahat police outpost under the police station.

A two-member delegation of the West Bengal Commission for Women led by Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, one of the members, also reached the victims’ village on Tuesday, shortly after Sharma’s visit. They also spoke with the two women and assured them of all help.

“It was a disappointing incident. But the police have done a probe and made arrests. The state government and the administration are with the two women,” Lahiri said.