Mob vandalise Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital amid protests over doctor’s rape-murder
KOLKATA,AUG 15: A group of 40–50 unidentified miscreants entered RG Kar Medical College and Hospital shortly after midnight on Thursday, vandalising parts of the facility where a 31-year-old doctor was raped and murdered last week.
The incident occurred amid the “Women Reclaim the Night” protest movement, which was taking place in various parts of the state.
Notably, the security at the hospital had been significantly increased in the aftermath of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate medical student on Friday.
Despite this, questions have arisen about how the vandalism occurred, given the enhanced security measures.
Concerns have also been raised about how these unidentified individuals managed to breach the premises and bypass barricades.
One of the protesting doctors told PTI that the vandalism took place despite police personnel being present on the premises. “The goons entered the campus and beat up agitating doctors. This was an attempt to break our morale so that we would back out of the protest. But such incidents have only strengthened our resolve to fight till the end,” he said.
According to the police, a group of nearly 40 people, allegedly disguised as protestors, entered the hospital premises, vandalised property, and pelted stones at police personnel, prompting them to fire tear gas to disperse the mob.
A police vehicle and a few two-wheelers at the spot were also damaged in the incident, they said.
Some police officers were injured in the violence, an officer said.
The police outpost in the hospital was also ransacked.
“We have an adequate number of personnel posted outside the hospital, and they have been instructed to tackle the situation accordingly,” a senior officer of Kolkata Police told news agency PTI.
Later, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal reached the spot at around 2 am. After visiting the area, Goyal said, “We are looking into the matter. ” He also claimed that a “malicious media campaign” aggravated the situation. “What the police have not done to crack this case? But there has been a malicious media campaign that has been going on,” he said.
The miscreants carrying sticks, bricks and rods, vandalised the Emergency ward of the hospital, its nursing station and medicine store, besides a section of the Out Patients Department (OPD) at the hospital in north Kolkata, police said.
Several CCTV cameras in and around the area were destroyed by the vandals who also ransacked a stage where the junior doctors have been demonstrating since August 9.
Unidentified miscreants entered the premises of the state-run hospital shortly after midnight on Thursday and vandalised portions of the medical facility, where the body of a woman doctor was found last week.
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Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee stated that he had spoken to Goyal, urging him to ensure that those responsible for the violence are identified, held accountable, and face the law within the next 24 hours, regardless of their political affiliations.
Banerjee condemned the hooliganism and vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, describing it as “exceeding all acceptable limits.”
He also affirmed that the demands of the protesting doctors are fair and justified, and stressed that their safety and security should be a top priority for the government.
BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has alleged that the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was carried out by “TMC goons” sent by party leader Mamata Banerjee.
Adhikari claimed that Banerjee orchestrated the presence of her supporters at the apolitical protest rally near the hospital, accusing her of attempting to disguise her supporters as protestors to facilitate the vandalism. He criticised Banerjee, suggesting she believed her plan would go undetected.
Adhikari further alleged that the miscreants were given safe passage by the police. He claimed that the police either fled or deliberately ignored the situation, allowing the vandals to enter the hospital and destroy areas containing crucial evidence before it could be collected by the CBI.
Unidentified miscreants entered the premises of the state-run hospital shortly after midnight on Thursday and vandalised portions of the medical facility, where the body of a woman doctor was found last week.
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Massive gatherings of women were seen at the hospital to protest the incident that has deeply impacted the country. The appeal for justice quickly spread beyond Kolkata to other parts of the state.
Women have expressed their demand for justice for the rape victim.
“Till now 4-5 days have passed since the incident took place, but we are not happy with the police investigation,” said Mrs Barnali Saha, who came with her daughter to Jadavpur 8B More in protest against the incident.
Hundreds of women displayed placards, asserting their unity and calling for justice for the victim.
-The New Indian Express
