Baruipur (WB) | The body of an 11-year-old girl, who went missing a day ago, was recovered in Baruipur area in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Sunday, following which a mob lynched a man on rape-murder charges, police said.

The girl's body was found stuffed in a sack in Surjyapur Haat area this morning, triggering a protest by locals who blocked the Baruipur-Joynagar Road, burnt tyres and damaged a few police vehicles, demanding the arrest of the accused persons, a senior officer said.

A man was beaten to death by angry locals on the accusation of his involvement in the girl's death, Inspector General of Police, Presidency Range, Kankarprasad Barui said.

The blockade was later lifted following the IGP's assurance that action will be taken against all the culprits.

The police said four people were arrested in connection with the girl's death.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari spoke to the deceased girl's father over the phone and assured him that the culprits would be dealt with in the strictest manner and punished according to the law, sources said.

Urging the protesters to lift the road blockade, IGP Barui announced that everyone associated with the crime would be arrested and would receive maximum punishment following trial.

"Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari called me up to take action against all the culprits, and they would be punished," the officer told the protesters, while addressing them using a megaphone.

Barui said he would meet the deceased girl's parents on Tuesday, promising them all assistance.

Stating that police raids are underway to nab the culprits, the IGP said, "No one will be spared".

The body of the girl was thereafter allowed by the protesters to be sent for post-mortem examination.

The body has been sent to Baruipur Sub-Divisional Hospital for post-mortem examination, the police said, adding that the cause of the death and whether any sexual assault was committed on her would be known after the autopsy report.

A police officer said the girl had gone missing on Saturday afternoon after leaving home to buy a gift for her friend's birthday.

Family members of the girl alleged that four people had forcibly taken her away.

Criticising the BJP government in West Bengal over the incident, TMC Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee alleged that political connections were influencing the investigation.

"BJP came to Bengal promising women's safety and security. Instead, every such incident raises fresh questions about its hollow promises," he wrote on X.

Banerjee also said, "@BJP4India doesn't just fail women, it fosters a climate where those accused of heinous crimes appear to believe they enjoy political protection."

"When justice becomes selective and outrage becomes political, it is not only the victim who suffers, it is society that pays the price," he stated in the social media post, accusing the BJP of being silent over the incident.