Dumka, Oct. 12 -- Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi on Sunday strongly criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks following the alleged gangrape of a medical student in Durgapur, calling the comments "ridiculous" and accusing the state government of "protecting criminals" instead of improving law and order.

The incident involves a second-year student of a private medical college in Durgapur. The survivor hails from Jaleswar, Odisha.

Addressing ANI, Annapurna Devi said, " This is not the first incident in West Bengal and it is certainly a tragic incident... It seems that criminals there are fearless, and no prompt action is being taken by the government... If the girls are not safe i...