In response to the bandh, Alapan Bandopadhyay, chief advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stated, “The government will not allow any bandh on Wednesday. We urge people not to participate in it. All steps shall be taken to ensure that normal life is unaffected.” Despite these assurances, reports indicate disruptions in various parts of Kolkata and other regions due to the bandh.
The protests are rooted in the BJP’s demand for justice following the alleged rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. This incident has sparked outrage, leading to the formation of a new student body, ‘Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj,’ which organized the rally to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The situation escalated as over 200 individuals were arrested, and several were injured in clashes with the police, who intervened to prevent the protesters from marching towards the state secretariat, Nabanna. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently probing the rape and murder case, focusing on the primary accused, Sanjay Roy, who is under judicial custody. To further their investigation, the CBI is seeking the opinion of medical experts from AIIMS Delhi to determine whether Roy acted alone.
Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money laundering investigation linked to the case. This follows the CBI’s First Information Report (FIR) implicating the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, in financial irregularities. The ED’s involvement highlights the growing complexity of the case, which encompasses both criminal and financial dimensions.
As the bandh continues, West Bengal remains tense, with ongoing clashes between BJP supporters and state authorities, reflecting the heightened political and social turmoil in the region. The developments today underscore the deep-seated tensions in the state, as both sides brace for further confrontations.
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