Lagatar24 Desk
Howrah: Nabanna, the West Bengal state secretariat in Howrah, has been fortified with three-layered security as over 6,000 Kolkata Police personnel stand guard in anticipation of a massive protest march on Tuesday. The “Nabanna Abhijan” rally, organized by Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj, demands Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation following public outrage over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The Kolkata Police, along with Howrah City Police, have set up barricades at 19 key points, including five aluminum barricades, to manage the expected crowd. The security apparatus also includes combat forces, Heavy Radio Flying Squads (HRFS), Rapid Action Force (RAF), Quick Reaction Teams (QRT), and water cannons to handle any potential unrest.
An Additional Commissioner of Police has been assigned to oversee law and order, with officers of Joint CP and DCP rank positioned at critical points such as Howrah Bridge, Hastings, and Hooghly Bridge. Reinforcements from various districts have been called in to bolster the security measures, focusing on strategic locations like Hastings, Shibpur Road, and Howrah Maidan.
The Kolkata Police have reached out to the rally organizers, seeking details about the number of participants, the leaders spearheading the protest, the rally routes, and the schedule. However, no response has been received from the student group as of yet.
On Monday, the West Bengal Police declared the protest “illegal,” citing intelligence reports that warned of possible chaos, violence, and conspiracies against police personnel during the march. According to intelligence inputs, two large rallies are expected to commence at 1 pm on Tuesday, one from College Square in Kolkata and another from Santragachi in Howrah. Special security arrangements have been made at College Square, anticipating a significant gathering.
The students leading the protest, including Prabir Das from Rabindra Bharati University, Subhankar Halder from Kalyani University, and Sayan Lahiri from Rabindra Mukta University, have remained adamant in their demands. They seek justice for the murdered doctor, capital punishment for the accused, and the resignation of Mamata Banerjee, whom they accuse of incompetence.
Interestingly, junior doctors, who have been at the forefront of the movement seeking justice for the trainee doctor, have distanced themselves from the “Nabanna Abhijan” and instead called for a separate rally in Central Kolkata on Wednesday.
Traffic Disruptions Expected
The planned protest is likely to cause significant traffic disruptions across several key areas, including Vidyasagar Setu, Khidderpore Road, Taratala Road, and surrounding feeder roads. Traffic may be diverted from these routes as necessary to maintain order.
The Trinamool Congress, meanwhile, has accused the BJP of orchestrating the protest to incite violence. At a press conference, Trinamool leaders showcased videos allegedly implicating BJP leaders in plotting to provoke police action against protesters. The BJP has denied any involvement in organizing the rally but stated that it supports the protest against the alleged atrocities under Mamata Banerjee’s administration.
The CPI-M, on the other hand, has announced that it will not participate in the protest, claiming that the event is being organized by an “RSS-backed body.”
Background on the Kolkata Rape-Murder Case
The catalyst for the protest is the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor, whose body was discovered at RG Kar Medical College on August 9. The main accused, Sanjoy Roy, a civil volunteer with the Kolkata Police, has been arrested and is currently in judicial custody. The CBI, which is investigating the case, conducted a polygraph test on Roy last Sunday.
Protests demanding justice for the victim have erupted across Kolkata and other parts of the country, with medical professionals leading the charge. The Kolkata Police have extended prohibitory orders around RG Kar Medical College for another week, restricting gatherings in the area to prevent any disturbances.