Kolkata is engulfed in nationwide protests following the rape and murder of a lady doctor, igniting widespread outrage. Women have taken to the streets in large numbers, expressing their fury against the government and the brutality of the crime. The situation escalated dramatically during a “Reclaim the Night” demonstration on Wednesday night, when 8,000 people, carrying candles and poignant posters, had no idea of the chaos that was about to unfold.
A mob stormed RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, causing widespread damage and terror. The rioters broke barricades and the emergency department gate, creating a state of panic and fear. The mob even destroyed the protest stage. According to police reports, a group of around 40 individuals infiltrated the hospital, damaging property and attacking police officers. The police had to resort to tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The rioters, disguised as protesters, vandalized emergency beds occupied by patients, forcing doctors, nurses, and police officers to flee. The attackers, dressed in shorts and vests, were not part of the initial rallies. Amidst the chaos, stones were thrown at the police, injuring some officers and damaging police vehicles. The incident led to widespread panic during the “Occupy the Night” campaign.
A senior Kolkata police officer assured the media that enough police personnel were stationed outside the hospital and had been instructed to handle the situation. The “Reclaim the Night” protests began at 11:55 PM and quickly spread to various historic sites in Kolkata, as well as major areas in smaller towns and cities. The campaign, originating in Leeds, England, in 1977, was a response to police advising women to stay indoors following a woman’s murder. It aimed to reclaim public spaces for women.
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee condemned the violence, urging authorities to identify and hold accountable those responsible within 24 hours, regardless of political affiliation. He emphasized that the demands of protesting doctors were reasonable and deserved attention. Banerjee took to social media, stating, “Tonight at RG Kar, the limits of hooliganism and brutality were crossed. I have spoken to the Kolkata CP as a public representative.”
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused TMC thugs of instigating the violence, claiming they were sent by party supremo Mamata Banerjee to disrupt the non-political protest. Adhikari alleged that the police allowed the miscreants safe passage, enabling them to destroy crucial evidence at the hospital. He stated on social media, “The police either fled or turned a blind eye, allowing these thugs to enter the hospital premises and destroy areas with key evidence to prevent the CBI from obtaining it.”
