Police Use Tear Gas, Lathi-Charge as RG Kar Hospital Protest Spirals Out of Control
RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata became the scene of chaos and destruction as a midnight protest by doctors, sparked by the recent rape and murder of a colleague, escalated into violence. The emergency ward of the hospital was left in ruins after a mob stormed the premises, according to a police official on the scene.
The situation turned volatile as police attempted to disperse the crowd using tear gas and lathi-charges. However, the protesters, which included unidentified individuals, pelted stones at the hospital, injuring several police officers. Despite efforts to secure the hospital, the mob overpowered the police, leading to widespread vandalism. Two police vehicles were damaged, and a motorcycle was set ablaze outside the hospital.
The protest, which began just before midnight, was part of a larger, nationwide “Reclaim the Night” movement aimed at demanding justice and safer conditions for women. Demonstrators at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital toppled barricades, insisting on justice for the 31-year-old trainee doctor whose brutal death has sparked outrage across the country.
As tensions escalated, police resorted to riot control measures to bring the situation under control. Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, who arrived at the scene around 2 AM, expressed his frustration with the media, accusing them of spreading a “malicious campaign” that had eroded public trust in the police force.
“This is a result of false and motivated media narratives. Because of this campaign, Kolkata Police has been unfairly judged. We are a responsible force, and we have not compromised the investigation in any way,” Goyal stated, visibly angered.
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee called for swift action, urging the Police Commissioner to ensure that those responsible for the violence face the full force of the law within 24 hours, irrespective of their political affiliations. “The vandalism at RG Kar tonight is unacceptable… The demands of the protesting doctors are legitimate, and their safety must be prioritized,” said Banerjee.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of orchestrating the violence, claiming that “Trinamool goons” were allowed to wreak havoc on the hospital grounds to destroy crucial evidence that could be used in the ongoing investigation. “Mamata Banerjee’s TMC goons were given safe passage by the police, who either fled the scene or deliberately looked the other way, allowing the destruction of evidence,” alleged Adhikari.
Mamata Banerjee has sent her TMC goons to the apolitical Protest Rally near RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
She thinks that she is the most shrewd person in the whole world and people won’t be able to figure out the cunning plan that her goons appearing as protestors would… pic.twitter.com/1CPI2f1KUr— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) August 14, 2024
While the protest at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital turned violent, demonstrations continued peacefully in other parts of Kolkata and across Bengal, all demanding justice for the murdered doctor. The 31-year-old medical trainee was found dead on the morning of August 9, and police later confirmed that she had been raped and murdered while on duty. The autopsy revealed horrific details of the injuries she sustained.
Nationwide protests and strikes by resident doctors have since erupted in response to the tragic incident. The main suspect, a civic volunteer known to frequent the hospital, was arrested on August 10. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court handed the investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
