RG Kar rape-murder: Police baton-charge protestors in Kolkata
Kolkata: Clashes broke out on Saturday when police baton‑charged demonstrators marching to the West Bengal Secretariat (Nabanna). The protest marked one year since the brutal rape and murder of an on‑duty doctor at R. G. Kar Hospital.
The situation became tense at Park Street crossing when protesters ignored police warnings and attempted to push past barricades toward Vidyasagar Setu. They were halted near the Rani Rashmoni Road assembly point, triggering confrontations.
Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, along with BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul and other party members, staged a sit‑in at the Park Street–J L Nehru Road junction. Adhikari claimed that over 100 protestors, including himself and BJP colleagues, sustained injuries during the baton charge. He also alleged that the parents of the R.G. Kar victim were hurt. “Mamata Banerjee will pay dearly for this. This protest is only going to get bigger from here,” Adhikari warned.
Protesters push boundaries across Howrah
Elsewhere, a group of demonstrators reached Santragachi in Howrah, where they attempted to breach iron barricades set up by police. Under the banner of 'Nabanna Chalo Abhiyan', participants shouted slogans demanding justice and insisted on continuing toward the secretariat, regardless of the barriers.
“The police can fire upon us, but we are determined to reach 'Nabanna', where the state government must answer why justice has not been delivered to Abhaya (RG Kar victim) even after one year,” a protester was heard saying.
Despite loudspeaker announcements urging compliance with a Calcutta High Court order to maintain public order, protesters were seen climbing 10‑foot barricades and using blunt tools to break through iron barriers.
Demonstrators carried the Tricolour, alongside placards demanding accountability and calling for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation. Police deployed RAF personnel and water cannons at strategic points to contain the situation.
The victim’s parents urged citizens to join the march to Nabanna, while Suvendu Adhikari appealed to BJP supporters to participate without party flags.
He also joined the parents at Dorina Crossing, Esplanade, earlier in the day, without any BJP insignia and said, “The Mamata Banerjee administration is fearing this massive crowd which has gathered in protest.”
Crowds continued to swell at assembly points in both Howrah and Kolkata, though police prevented them from advancing near Nabanna. The victim’s father criticised the authorities, “The police are not cooperating with us despite the high court permitting us to hold a peaceful protest rally.”
He also added, “The police tried to prevent people from reaching the assembly point by stopping their vehicles at various points en route.”
With PTI inputs