Kolkata, Feb 20: In a horrific incident of sexual assault which brings to memory the 2012 Nirbhaya case, a mentally challenged tribal woman was gangraped in South Dinajpur, with metal thrusted into her private parts.

The incident occurred in Dehaband area under Kushmandi police station in South Dinajpur on Monday. The victim, 28, was earlier rushed to the local Raiganj hospital, but the hospital authorities got her transferred to Malda Medical College and Hospital after her condition deteriorated.

The victim continues to remain critical, reports said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the woman was abducted enroute to a local fair in South Dinajpur. The kidnappers then raped her under a bridge. Not only was she sexually assaulted, but the miscreants used metal rods to mutilate her genitals.

The girl was rescued by the villagers who heard her screaming. By the time the locals rushed to the spot, the rapists were nowhere to be seen.

Raiganj MP and senior CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim said the rape incident is even more gruesome than the 2012 Nirbhaya case. "Here, the victim was targeted right in middle of the village. This is a threat to people from all walks of life who value freedom and human rights," he told reporters.

The Opposition has targeted the Mamata Banerjee-led government in the state, accusing her of not taking adequate steps to strengthen the law and order in Bengal.

While no arrests have been made so far, the Malda police detained two individuals today for interrogation.

A similar gangrape case was reported from North Dinajpur in November last year, when a minor tribal girl was gangraped and murdered.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2018 07:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).