Lathicharge and Water Cannon Used Against Protesters In Kolkata During 'March to Nabanna'

Kolkata: Kolkata Police on Tuesday resorted to lathi charge, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse protesters at Howrah Bridge and near Santragachhi Railway Station on Kona Expressway. The demonstrators were attempting to breach police barricades to reach the state secretariat, Nabanna, to demand the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the rape-murder case of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College.

The situation intensified when protesters, including members of the student organisation 'Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj' and the dissident state government employees' platform 'Sangrami Joutha Mancha', clashed with the police. At Santragachhi, some agitators threw bricks at officers, injuring several. Protesters claimed that the police action also resulted in injuries to several students.

Police reported that they began lathi charging and using tear gas after the agitators managed to breach barricades at various points and attacked security personnel.

The rally, part of the 'Nabanna Abhijan', started from College Square in north Kolkata and Santragachi in Howrah. Protesters are demanding the Chief Minister’s resignation and the arrest of those responsible for the crime, accusing her of failing to ensure women's safety, which they believe led to the RG Kar incident that has caused nationwide outrage.

One marcher said, “We will reach Nabanna no matter what. We must get to the state secretariat to demand the resignation of the Chief Minister, whose administration has been trying to shield the perpetrators of this heinous crime and suppress the incident. We want to hear from her.”

The procession from College Square was intended to cross Howrah Bridge to reach Nabanna, while the Santragachi group planned to proceed towards the state secretariat via Sibpur. In response, police set up barricades and enforced prohibitory orders in the area.

Chhatrasamaj spokesperson Sayan Lahiri highlighted the peaceful nature of the rally: “Despite provocations, we intend to keep this a peaceful, democratic movement against the horrific crime committed against our sister at RG Kar hospital. We demand justice for her and her family. The call for justice by the people of Bengal and the country must be acknowledged by the Mamata Banerjee government.”