Kolkata: A fresh controversy has erupted in West Bengal after Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy echoed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent comment suggesting women should not be out late at night. Roy said that while the state government has taken strong measures to ensure safety, it is not possible for the police to be present “everywhere” and women should “avoid going out late at night.” His remarks came amid public anger over the alleged gang-rape of a second-year MBBS student in Durgapur, which has already triggered a fierce political and social backlash.

“Such cases are rare in Bengal. Women’s safety in Bengal is better than in any other place… But women shouldn’t leave their colleges so late at night, as the police can’t patrol everywhere… Police cannot be present on every road;

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