Baruipur: The shockwaves from the gang-rape and murder of an 12-year-old girl in Baruipur have exposed a deep-rooted criminal network that has allegedly terrorised parts of South 24 Parganas for more than a decade.Investigations into the prime accused have uncovered the dark underbelly of the “Gangs of Surjapur” — a 20-member syndicate that allegedly evolved from selling illicit country liquor to running narcotics dens, trafficking women and children, and dealing in illegal firearms. The syndicate was allegedly led by Ananda Sardar and Prabash Mondal, the latter widely identified by locals as the mastermind. While Prabash was recently killed in a police encounter, the remaining members, including key associates Dibakar Sardar, auto driver Sailen Mondal, and rickshawpuller Istaful Molla are now under intense police scrutiny.The gang’s origins date back around a decade to Surjapur Haat, where its members allegedly started off by selling illicit country liquor. Over time, they expanded their operations across Surjapur, Alipur and Kumudranjan villages. Investigators said Ananda later shifted base to a secluded stretch near the railway tracks close to Surjapur station, where he allegedly set up a permanent narcotics den.Surrounded by marshland and difficult terrain that kept police at bay, the hideout allegedly emerged as a major hub for narcotics, including ganja, heroin and fentanyl.“They operated multiple makeshift dens along the railway tracks, where people gathered to smoke and take drugs,” said Tapasi Mondal, who lives near the tracks. “A large number of local youths, along with outsiders, would crowd the area late into the night.”As the money flowed in, the gang allegedly diversified into human trafficking and the illegal arms trade. Investigators said the syndicate targeted vulnerable women and children from Surjapur, Alipur and Kumudranjan, luring them with promises of jobs at ayah centres in Kolkata and neighbouring states before allegedly selling many of them to brothels. Police are also probing a suspected cross-border trafficking network operating along the Bangladesh border.At the same time, the gang allegedly expanded into the illegal arms trade. Locals said Ananda procured country-made firearms that were used to intimidate locals during disputes.Both Ananda and Prabash had previously been arrested by Baruipur district police under the Arms Act and in narcotics-related cases, but secured bail and allegedly resumed their criminal activities.The girl’s rape-murder has broken the locals’ silence, many of whom claim the tragedy could have been prevented. “We informed cops several times about the gang’s activities and how its members harassed women in the area. They knew about the drug dens but never carried out any raid,” said Arup Naskar, a local fish-seller.Samir Sardar, a driver and Ananda’s neighbour, said: “He terrorised anyone who dared to speak out. The administration must dismantle this racket once and for all.”Amid mounting public outrage, Ananda’s house was vandalised and set on fire by a mob. Speaking to TOI, his wife Mina denied his involvement in the rape-murder, though she admitted he was a drug addict. “My husband is not a rapist or a murderer. He fled after locals attacked our house. I had to take shelter in a field with my two children, both under three. If my husband is guilty, he should be hanged. But there must be a proper investigation. If he is innocent, he should be released,” Mina said.
