Police in eastern India said Saturday they were investigating the gang-rape of a 75-year-old nun by burglars who broke into the convent school where she lived.
Two people have been arrested in connection with the alleged attack on Friday night, when 12 men broke into the convent in West Bengal state.
"A preliminary investigation has revealed that a nun at the school was gagged and gang-raped," police inspector general Anuj Sharma told AFP.
"Two people have so far been arrested," he said, adding that the nun was recovering in hospital.
Local residents took to the streets in anger, shouting slogans demanding action and blocking off the main highway.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted her condemnation of what she called a "horrific attack", promising "swift, strongest action".
The incident came at a time of heightened sensitivity over women's safety in India, which last week banned a documentary about the 2012 gang-rape of a student in Delhi that sparked mass protests.
Authorities said screening the documentary could have caused public disorder, but critics accused the government of being more concerned with the country's reputation than the safety of its women.
The December 2012 gang-rape of a young physiotherapy student, who cannot be named, highlighted the frightening level of violence against women in the world's second most populous country and triggered mass protests.
It led to a major reform of India's rape laws, speeding up trials and increasing penalties, although many campaigners say little has changed for women on the ground.
Source: AFP
GMT 10:33 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
For INJAZ Al-Arab young entrepreneurs Regional CompetitionGMT 04:47 2018 Monday ,22 January
Women's rights protestors slam harassment, violenceGMT 12:23 2018 Sunday ,21 January
Female Sherpa from Nepal scales new heightsGMT 08:14 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Israel judge orders Palestinian teen in 'slap video' heldGMT 12:12 2018 Wednesday ,17 January
'Cool Runnings' revisited as Jamaican women qualifyGMT 05:58 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
'Feminist' Deneuve apologises to sex assault victimsGMT 06:10 2018 Monday ,15 January
Norway's coalition expands but remains minority govtGMT 05:06 2018 Saturday ,13 January
to new Germany coalition governmentMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor