Hundreds of junior doctors protesting over the rape-murder of a female colleague at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital sat on a dharna on Monday near the Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar, demanding the resignation of Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal.
Earlier, iron barricades were put up on BB Ganguly Street to stop the marching protesters who insisted that their delegation be allowed to meet Goyal or he should come to meet them.
They started the march from College Square in Central Kolkata at 2 pm. The protesting doctors also alleged inaction on part of the city police in stopping vandalism at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 14.
The protesters carried a replica of a spine and red roses, asserting that these were to emphasise the duty of the police force to protect citizens. “We have brought a replica of the spinal cord as a symbol of the Police Commissioner’s lack of spine. He has failed to provide justice to the victim and her family,” said a protester.
Accusing the Police Commissioner of being “incompetent”, the doctors expressed their frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation in the matter and the way it was initially handled. “We have been protesting peacefully for 23 days. We have been demanding his resignation since day one but to no avail. We will not back down until our demands are met,” said another protesting doctor.
Despite attempts by the police to disperse the crowd, the junior doctors did not move from the site and stayed put. They sat down in the middle of the road, blocking traffic,
and vowed to continue their agitation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Indira Mukherjee said, “Protest marches to Lalbazar are stopped at BB Ganguly street. If they want to meet the Police Commissioner, they will be allowed to do so.”
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Rupesh Kumar, who was at the spot, said, “Protesters marching to Lalbazar are stopped here. Usually, people in such large numbers are not allowed to go beyond this point as prohibitory orders are in place in the Lalbazar area. They earlier said that a delegation will meet the Police Commissioner but changed their stance.”
The agitating doctors also burnt an effigy of the Police Commissioner. They also raised slogans, seeking exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the rape and murder at the RG Kar Hospital.
The doctors have alleged inadequate steps by the police during its probe into the August 9 rape-murder of the young doctor, before the investigation was handed over to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court. A large number of police personnel were deployed in the area.
Meanwhile, former Union minister Nisith Pramanik was arrested on Monday after BJP workers clashed with police in Cooch Behar during a demonstration against the alleged rape and murder of a doctor in the state-run RG Kar Hospital early last month.
The party workers held rallies in various districts of Bengal during the day to protest the death of the on-duty medic that sparked nationwide outrage.
Rallies were held before offices of district magistrates in Bardhaman, Malda, Cooch Behar and Jhargram, among others.
— With PTI inputs
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