National Desk, 15th August: A peaceful protest at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata spiraled into chaos when a mob stormed the campus, vandalizing vehicles and property. The protest, led by medical staff, was initially aimed at demanding better security following a recent tragic incident at the hospital. However, the demonstration took a violent turn when a large crowd forced its way into the protest area.
Anupam Roy, a final-year MBBS student, accused the mob of deliberately disrupting their rally and tampering with evidence related to the ongoing investigation of a post-graduate trainee doctor’s death. “We were preparing for a peaceful rally of female nurses, doctors, and students when this crowd arrived. Despite our requests to maintain distance, they forcibly entered our protest area,” Roy explained.
The student also noted a suspicious lack of police presence during the incident. “In previous demonstrations, police were more visible, but today, when we needed them the most, they were nowhere to be found. Despite our calls for additional forces and attempts to reach the Deputy Commissioner, there was no response,” Roy said, adding that the police later claimed they had no orders to intervene.
The mob’s actions went beyond vandalism; they also targeted the crime scene connected to the death of the trainee doctor, which occurred on August 9. The doctor was found dead in the seminar hall, with the family alleging rape and murder, a claim that has sent shockwaves through the medical community.
In response to the violence, the medical community has intensified its demands for increased security. One protesting doctor stated, “We will accelerate our protest until our safety is ensured and justice is served.”
The incident has drawn significant political attention. Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee condemned the violence on social media, calling for swift action against those responsible, regardless of their political affiliation. He also recognized the legitimacy of the doctors’ concerns for safety and security, further emphasizing the need for a prompt resolution to the escalating tensions at RG Kar Medical College.