Clashes Erupt at Howrah Bridge Amid Protests Over Rape-Murder Case

Security forces clashed with protestors on the Howrah Bridge during a march to the West Bengal State Secretariat over the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case. Tear gas, water cannons, and lathicharge were used to control the crowd. West Bengal Governor urged the State not to suppress the protests.

Security forces clashed with protestors on Tuesday at the Howrah Bridge as they marched toward the West Bengal State Secretariat Nabanna, amidst the controversy surrounding the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case. The protest saw demonstrators climb police barricades, break them, and clash with law enforcement during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' march.

Protestors were seen dismantling barricades erected at Santragachi en route to the Secretariat. The protest was called in response to the ongoing outrage over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. To maintain order, police had cordoned off the West Bengal state secretariat with heavy security.

Early in the morning, activists began gathering at Santragachi and marched from College Square to the State Secretariat in Kolkata. Students and citizens joined the protest, raising slogans and displaying the tricolour. The West Bengal Police deployed heavy forces to manage the demonstrators.

Prior to the protest, check gates were reinforced while civic workers greased the rear gates of Fort William at Hastings to prevent demonstrators from climbing barricades. The police also brought in vajra vehicles, water cannons, and riot control forces to secure the area.

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose urged the State government not to use excessive force against peaceful protestors. In a video message, he cited the Supreme Court's verdict, emphasizing that democracy cannot silence the majority.

Bose said, 'In the context of the peaceful protest announced by the student community of West Bengal and the reported suppression of the protest by the government, I urge the government to remember the Supreme Court's verdict. Let not the power of the state of West Bengal be unleashed on peaceful protestors. Democracy cannot silence the majority.'

Previously, Additional Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, Supratim Sarkar, stated that the police had rejected an application by 'Paschimbanga Chhatro Samaj' to hold a rally on August 27. The rejection was due to insufficient formal permission and inadequate details provided by the group. The brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital had sparked nationwide outrage, leading to multiple protests demanding justice.

(With inputs from agencies.)