On August 27, a large-scale protest, known as the “Nabanna Abhijan” march, was held at West Bengal’s administrative headquarters, Nabanna, following the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The demonstration, organized by the student group Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj, called for the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing the government of inaction in addressing the incident.
The march commenced at College Square in Kolkata under heightened security. As protesters advanced toward Nabanna, police deployed water cannons and tear gas at Howrah Bridge to disperse the crowd. Significant security measures were implemented, including road barricades and the deployment of thousands of police officers across Kolkata, to prevent violence and maintain order.
In response to the incident, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the attack and assured a thorough investigation. Kolkata police have arrested four suspects in connection with the case, and investigations are ongoing.
The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front clarified that they were not involved in organizing the rally and chose not to participate. In light of the incident, law enforcement agencies have increased security around hospitals to ensure the safety of healthcare workers.
The protest has garnered significant media and political attention, highlighting concerns over the safety of healthcare professionals in the region.
