The mother of the RG Kar hospital rape and murder victim alleged on Saturday that she was manhandled by women police personnel while attempting to join the 'Nabanna Chalo Abhiyan,' a protest march to West Bengal's state secretariat marking one year since her daughter’s brutal killing. The grieving mother claimed that during the scuffle, her traditional 'shankha' (conch shell bangle) was broken, and she sustained a head injury, intensifying public outrage over the handling of the case.
"All we want is justice for my daughter. Why are they stopping us like this?" she said, addressing reporters amidst the chaos. The march, demanding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation for "failing to protect women," saw hundreds of protesters clash with police at multiple points across Kolkata and Howrah. The victim's father echoed her sentiments, alleging that police obstructed their family from reaching Dorina Crossing in Esplanade, despite a Calcutta High Court order permitting a peaceful rally.
Tensions escalated at Park Street crossing, where police baton-charged protesters attempting to breach barricades and advance toward Vidyasagar Setu, defying warnings to remain at Rani Rashmoni Road. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, joined by BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul and others, staged a sit-in at Park Street-J L Nehru Road crossing, claiming over 100 protesters, including himself and the victim’s parents, were injured in the police action.
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In Santragachi, Howrah, protesters scuffled with police as they tried to scale 10-ft-high iron barricades. Adhikari condemned the police response, alleging excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. Tight security, including RAF personnel and water cannons, was deployed along the march route, underscoring the state’s efforts to contain the swelling unrest. The allegations of police brutality against the victim’s family have further fueled demands for accountability and justice in the unresolved RG Kar case.
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