New Delhi: Tensions flared in Howrah and Kolkata on Tuesday afternoon as protesters clashed with police during the Nabanna Abhijan rally, organized in response to the brutal rape and murder of a young female doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. The rally, which demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, quickly escalated into violence as demonstrators pelted stones at the police, who retaliated with batons, tear gas, and water cannons.Protesters breach barricadesThe Kolkata police had anticipated the unrest, erecting barricades fortified with iron rods and deploying a large cargo container near Hastings to block access to the state secretariat, Nabanna. Despite these precautions, the protest, led by the Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj—a relatively unknown student group—gathered momentum around 1 pm as participants marched from various parts of Howrah and Kolkata. Waving the national flag and shouting anti-government slogans, the protesters made their way towards Nabanna, only to be met with forceful resistance from the police.Clashes erupt across multiple locationsThe first major clash occurred at Santragachi in Howrah, where protesters broke through one of the barricades, prompting the police to use batons, tear gas, and water cannons. The situation quickly deteriorated as some protesters moved towards Santragachi Railway Station, hurling stones at the police. Similar confrontations were reported at Kona Expressway, Foreshore Road in Howrah, and near the iconic Howrah Bridge, where both sides suffered injuries in the ensuing chaos.Watch the video here:A RAF personnel has been hospitalized with head injuries after being hit by a brick thrown by protesters in #Santragachi, #Howrah, #WestBengal.Protesters attempted to breach barricades and reportedly threw bricks at the police, who responded with baton charges, scattering the… pic.twitter.com/4Nc3jGmMJX— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) August 27, 2024On the Kolkata side, protesters attempted to break through barricades on the approach to Vidyasagar Setu, also known as the Second Hooghly Bridge. Despite their efforts, they were unable to advance further, and the area became another flashpoint of conflict, with protesters vocally denouncing the government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.Watch the video here:⚠️BREAKING: Massive Student Rally to Nabanna Despite Police Ban Demands CM Mamata Banerjees Resignation Over RG Kar Incident! 🔞Kolkata Rape-Murder Case Protests: 🚨🚨- 🪧 Students March: Rally to Nabanna today, August 27, despite police opposition.- ⚖️ TMC Claims:… pic.twitter.com/m1VCnZTDCk— Bhwani Shankar (@BhwaniShankar1) August 27, 2024Political leaders react to violenceThe violence drew sharp criticism from political leaders, with BJPs Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the Bengal Assembly, condemning the police action. The state police have used batons on peaceful protesters. Many were injured. What is going on If the police continue the atrocities on the protesters, we will make Bengal come to a standstill tomorrow, Adhikari warned, signaling further unrest if the situation remains unresolved.
