KOLKATA: West Bengal governor KN Tripathi on Sunday sought public help to arrest those who gang-raped a 70-year-old nun in Nadia district even as cops have detained eight people and are interrogating them.

"The state government will take strict action in this matter," Tripathi told reporters.

"The administration will surely apprehend the culprits and punish them. I feel the people should also come forward to help nab the culprits," he said.

Meanwhile, Nadia SP Arnab Ghosh told Times of India that eight people have been detained and are being interrogated in connection with the case.

Reports say cops are also probing an extortion angle and revenge angle into the incident.

The 71-year-old nun of a convent school was gang-raped in Ranaghat town, some 80km from Kolkata, early on Saturday.

The nun was injured so badly that she had to undergo a surgery.

Police have blamed a gang of robbers for the incident and have ruled out any motive behind the rape.

A CCTV in the staff room has captured the faces of four robbers.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the rape and has ordered a CID probe.

The state government has announced Rs 1 lakh reward for the capture of the rapists.

Congress leader PC Chacko, while condemning the incident, has sought an explanation from the state government.

Source: TOI