Governer: Don't have confidence to say West Bengal is safe

KOLKATA: Amid outrage over the alleged gang rape of a medical student in Durgapur, governor C V Ananda Bose on Monday expressed deep concern over the "shocking" incident, saying he lacked confidence to say West Bengal is safe, and called for a "second renaissance" to make the state secure for women.

Bose, who travelled to the industrial town in Paschim Bardhaman district and met the survivor's family, said the incident has "shaken the public conscience", adding "stern action" must be taken to prevent recurrence of such crimes. "This is a very shocking incident, and it is not that this has happened for the first time. Steps have to be taken to ward off similar instances in future. This has to be looked into seriously and action has to be taken," Bose said.

The governor, who met the 23-year-old medical student, a resident of Odisha , and her parents, said he assured them "all steps will be taken to ensure justice".

"It is high time that all of us stand together and say, 'Stop, or we will make it stop'. We will do everything to give justice to the family," he said.