Kolkata, July 20 (IANS): Crimes against women in West Bengal have gone up, National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam said on Monday.

"As far as I know earlier there were less crimes against women. But now it has increased," she said after visiting the house of a minor in Mograhat in South 24 Parganas who was allegedly kidnapped in May.

About her visit and meeting the parents of the minor, Kumaramangalam observed they "appeared to be scared and so are the women living near her house".

"Some people are trying to paint the issue in political and religious colour which is uncalled for," she said.

In addition, the NCW chief also pointed at "lack of sufficient police action" in the case.

Her comments drew sharp criticism from Trinamool Congress national spokesperson Derek O' Brien, who asserted women in the Mamata Banerjee-ruled state are safe.

"Women in Bengal are very safe. Madame, before you make sweeping statements, may we ask you two questions. How safe are 'you' in Delhi? Is this a political statement you are making?" O'Brien posed on Twitter.