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Infant theft case: CM Mamata Banerjee calls for rigid security measures

Sources said that Mamata expressed dissatisfaction over the incident because it had happened at a time when the state government had taken stern steps against errant private hospitals.

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Saraswati Naskar’s infant was stolen from the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital
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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a meeting of top administrative officials, expressed her discontent on Wednesday over the infant theft incident at the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (CMCH).

A three-member committee comprising DGP Surajit Kar Purkayastha, Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Director of Health and Services Biswaranjan Satapathy has been formed to look into the security aspects at the state hospitals. Sources said that Mamata expressed dissatisfaction over the incident because it had happened at a time when the state government had taken stern steps against errant private hospitals. She asked to step up the security systems at government-run hospitals. "From state-run hospitals to block level health centres, there will be more CCTVs installed to keep better vigilance. All the officials and staff members of hospitals will have identity cards around their neck," said Kumar. Asked about the Rs 1 lakh award which police had announced, he said that there were possibilities of a foul play in which case, the amount will only be given after a thorough investigation.

It was also found that the CM had asked officials to identify the troublemakers who had vandalised the hospital on Tuesday and to book them accordingly.

"Some, in an inebriated state have destroyed the hospital's property. They will be booked," Purkayastha said.

President of the State Medical Council and Head of the West Bengal chapter of the Indian Medical Association, Dr Nirmal Maji said that there will be an end to the system of hiring private aayas at CMCH. "Along with the mothers and the new-borns, only ladies who are in blood relation with the mother will be allowed to stay and wearing identity cards issued by the hospital will be mandatory," Dr Maji said. Late on Tuesday night, the lady who had stolen the five-day old infant, Chinmayee Bej and her husband Prashant Bej were arrested by police and the child was rescued. They were produced at the Bankshall Court on Wednesday and were sent for a 10-day police custody. None of the lawyers in the court were ready to defend the accused. The couple is charged with kidnapping, conspiracy and threatening.

Saurav Naskar, husband of Saraswati Naskar, the woman whose baby was stolen, said, "I have no words to say. Police have worked very well and helped us get back our child. We don't want anything else." He further added that they have named the new-born as Debraj Naskar.

The accused lived within 50metres distance from Naskar's house. Neighbours said that Chinmayee, the prime accused, was also supposed to deliver a child in February but had had a miscarriage in December. "She never told it to anyone and when she saw Saraswati's child she was tempted to kidnap him. Besides, she had been having problems at her home because her mother-in-law preferred a boy. Chinmayee chose the easy way to get a male child for herself," said a 50-plus neighbour.

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