In a significant escalation of unrest in West Bengal, Kolkata police arrested 126 protesters, including 103 men and 23 women, during a march towards the state secretariat, Nabanna, today. The protesters were expressing their demand for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital earlier this month.
According to some sources, the demonstration degenerated into violence, resulting in injuries among police officers. The authorities used Lathis (batons), tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd that was trying to break through the police barricades.
Kunal Ghosh, spokesperson for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), said those involved in the violent clashes were not students.
He said: “These were not students and their basic demand for justice is our demand. There was not a large gathering; a maximum of 3,000 people were present. They were trying to break the barricades and attack the police; stones were thrown and police officers were injured, but the police did not open fire. The police took only minimal measures to disperse the crowd.”
In response to the violent incidents, Kolkata Police also released images of several individuals allegedly involved in the clashes. Police urged the public to help identify those depicted in the images. A message shared on the X platform included a request for anyone with information to come forward, either directly to the police or through their local police station.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has declared a 12-hour strike in West Bengal to protest police action on participants marching towards the state secretariat.
The march was organised in response to the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said he was urging residents to participate in the general strike scheduled from 6 am to 6 pm tomorrow.
Majumdar condemned the incident, describing it as a serious concern for public safety and demanded immediate action by state authorities.
