Nandigram: 3 women file rape complaints

Three women have filed complaints with police that they were allegedly raped during the March 14 violence in Nandigram in which 14 people were killed and scores injured.

"At least one rape complaint was lodged with police yesterday," a top police official, who wished to remain anonymous, said in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Tamluk Hospital Superintendent S Patra said two alleged rape victims had been medically examined and discharged.

A third victim was still being treated in the hospital, he said.

The two alleged rape victims who were discharged had claimed that they were assaulted by policemen and had filed formal complaints in this regard.

The victims, both housewives aged 27 and 25, had alleged in their statement that policemen cornered them during the melee after the police firing at Sonachura village and raped them.

The women were first treated at Nandigram block hospital and then at Tamluk Hospital.

A delegation of artists from Kolkata on Wednesday visited the areas in Nandigram affected by violence and enquired about the injured.

The 35-member team, under the banner Shilpi and Sanskriti Karmis, later said it was their impression that the injured were not getting proper treatment in Nandigram and should be moved to hospitals in Kolkata.