An 18-year-old girl from Hemtabad, North Dinajpur, reportedly hanged herself at the washroom of the police station on Thursday, a few hours after she was brought there for counselling.

Her death sparked protests on Friday and hundreds hit the streets, blocking roads and demonstrating in front of the police station. Additional police forces were brought to the spot to control the situation.

Sources said the girl was in a relationship with a boy aged below 18 and wanted him to marry her. As the boy was reportedly reluctant, the girl sat on a “dharna” in front of his home on Thursday.

A police team, with women personnel, took the girl to the police station.

“She was kept in a room under vigil of women police personnel. There was a plan to counsel her and send her back home. After a few hours, the girl wanted to go to the washroom,” said a source, adding that when she did not come out, they broke the door.

The policewomen found her hanging from the ceiling. The girl died on the way to the hospital.

“She was rushed to Raiganj Government Medical College and Hospital where she died after a while,” the source added.

As the news spread, the girl’s family demonstrated at the police station on Friday morning. They filed a complaint against the minor boy.

Some residents also resorted to protests. They blocked Raiganj-Kaliaganj Road which disrupted traffic.

Senior police officers, including district police chief Md Sana Akhtar rushed to Hemtabad. Additional policemen were sent to Hemtabad. Police managed to persuade protesters to disperse. The girl’s body was handed over to her family.

“Based on the girl's family's complaint, the boy has been arrested and sent to juvenile court. Our officers are probing the case,” said Akhtar.

Timber, Yaba tablets seized

Siliguri/Malda: The state forest department and police seized timber and Yaba tablets from different locations of north Bengal on Friday.

Sources said a team of the Baikunthapur forest division recovered teak logs worth Rs 30 lakh from a Calcutta-bound truck at Panikauri under Rajganj block of Jalpaiguri, and arrested two persons.

In Malda, state police special task force arrested four suspected peddlers with Yaba tablets worth Rs 30 lakh from Englishbazar.

Our Bureau