Nabanna Abhijan Rally Deemed Illegal, Sparks Potential Unrest Concerns

West Bengal police label the upcoming Nabanna Abhijan rally illegal and fear potential unrest in Kolkata. Citizens are urged to avoid involvement. Officials also stress the importance of conducting peaceful protests only in authorized areas, emphasizing heightened security due to a recent high-profile rape and murder case.

West Bengal ADG Police (Law & Order) Manoj Kumar Verma declared the Nabanna Abhijan Rally, planned for August 27 to reach the State Secretariat, illegal and described it as a potential trigger for widespread unrest in Kolkata. He stated that Nabanna is a restricted area, and any protest plans require prior permission from the police. 'No organization has applied to hold a protest near Nabanna,' he emphasized, noting specific intelligence on potential disruptions. 'We will ensure that the ongoing NTA exams proceed without inconveniences,' Verma added.

Verma urged the public to avoid falling into 'the trap,' highlighting the lack of any legitimate organization called West Bengal Students' Society behind the rally. 'We have numerous committees, but no group by that name,' said Additional Deputy General, South Bengal, Supratim Sarkar. He pointed out the rally's potential to disrupt the UGC NET exam and disclosed that one of the organizers recently met with a political leader in a five-star hotel.

Sarkar indicated that there are concerns over miscreant activities during the rally, with plans to use women and children as shields to provoke police response. He warned that viral content on social media is exacerbating tensions, underscoring the need for public safety and adherence to legal guidelines. Kolkata police had already designated several areas for peaceful protests about the RG Kar Medical College incident, reinforcing that Nabanna remains off-limits under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (formerly Section 144 of the CrPC). Despite the SC's allowance for peaceful protests, lawful restrictions remain in place, Verma concluded.

The backdrop of this heightened security is the traumatic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College, which has sparked nationwide outrage and multiple protests. The accused, Sanjay Roy, has undergone a polygraph test, while Parimal Dey, a celebrated teacher, returned his 2019 Banga Ratna award in protest against the state government's handling of the case. The trainee doctor was discovered dead in the college seminar hall on August 9.

(With inputs from agencies.)