Kolkata descends into chaos: Hundreds arrested in deadly RG Kar Hospital protests

The ongoing outrage over the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital escalated into widespread violence on Tuesday, as student-led protests clashed with police across key areas in Kolkata and Howrah. The clashes resulted in numerous injuries and the detention of 245 protesters, marking one of the most intense confrontations the city has seen in recent years.

The protests were primarily organized as part of a march to Nabanna, the Bengal secretariat, demanding justice for the deceased doctor and accountability from the authorities. However, what began as a peaceful demonstration quickly spiraled into chaos as protesters, armed with stones, iron rods, and bamboo poles, attempted to breach police barricades. The violence first broke out around 1 p.m. and persisted for over three hours, with multiple flashpoints across the city.

Police sources confirmed that at least 37 of their personnel were injured in the clashes. Key areas affected included the Howrah Bridge-MG Road junction, Hastings-Prinsep Ghat, and Santragachhi, where protesters and police engaged in pitched battles. The situation was particularly dire at Mullick Fatak, where Chanditala circle inspector Sanjib Ganguly sustained severe head injuries from stone-pelting, requiring immediate medical attention.

In an effort to disperse the agitated crowds, police deployed water cannons, tear gas, and baton charges. Despite these efforts, the protesters managed to overturn guardrails, destroy police vehicles, and set a police motorcycle ablaze. The Foreshore Road in Howrah saw some of the most intense violence, with protesters tearing down 10-foot-high barricades and clashing with the police. Similar scenes unfolded in Santragachhi, where protesters braved water cannons as they attempted to reach the secretariat.

Kolkata Police registered 11 FIRs related to the day’s violence and released images of 21 individuals they identified as instigators, appealing to the public for information on their whereabouts. The police have stated that the situation could have been far worse had they not made several preemptive arrests and seized weapons from some of the protesters.

The situation in Kolkata remains tense, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organizing a march to Lalbazar, the city’s police headquarters, in protest against what they termed police “atrocities” on demonstrators. The BJP has demanded the immediate release of those arrested and detained during the clashes.

This latest surge of violence comes amid a backdrop of widespread discontent and protests that have rocked Kolkata since the discovery of the junior doctor’s body on August 9. The case has drawn national attention, leading to calls for swift justice and increased security measures for healthcare professionals across West Bengal.