Kolkata doctor murder: Nine arrested for vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital
Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose visits hospital | Assures doctors and medical students of fair and speedy probe
Kolkata doctor murder: Nine persons were arrested following the vandalisation of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata during the early hours of Thursday. The incident occurred during a protest against the brutal sexual assault and murder of a trainee doctor at the hospital last week.
The protest, part of a nationwide drive named 'Women, Reclaim the Night,' began around 11 pm on Wednesday. As the vigil started, a mob entered the hospital premises and caused extensive damage by attacking vehicles and public property. The situation worsened, forcing the Kolkata Police to use lathicharge and teargas to restore law and order. In the chaos, 15 police officials were injured.
On Thursday morning, the Kolkata Police released photos of individuals suspected of involvement in the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, seeking public assistance in identifying them. These images were widely circulated on social media, with the faces of the alleged rioters highlighted. The arrests were made shortly thereafter, though the identities of those detained have not been disclosed.
Dr Anubhav Mondal, a doctor participating in the ongoing protests outside the hospital, said he was among those identified in the photos circulated by the police. Dr Mondal vowed that the protests would intensify, emphasising the demand for a fair, court-monitored investigation into the case. "Our protests will continue and grow stronger. Those who think they can intimidate us are mistaken. We demand justice, and we won't stop until we get it," he was quoted as saying by NDTV.
There were also claims on social media that the seminar hall, where the 31-year-old trainee doctor was murdered, had been vandalised by the mob. However, the Kolkata police refuted these allegations, warning against the spread of false information.
Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose visited the hospital on Thursday, offering reassurance to the doctors and medical students who expressed feelings of insecurity and trauma following the murder and subsequent violence. "I stand with you. We will fight this and ensure such horrific acts do not go unpunished. We will take decisive action that sets an example," the Governor assured them.