Kolkata Rape And Murder Case: Lathi Charge, Tear Gas, Water Cannons Used Against Protestors Despite West Bengal Governor's Request

West Bengal Police on Tuesday (27 August) used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protestors marching towards secretariat building Nabanna demanding justice for Kolkata rape and murder victim.

A 31-year-old trainee doctor's dead body was found in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9 August. Since then students and the medical fraternity have protested demanding swift action.

Accused Sanjay Roy is under arrest and is being interrogated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The case was transferred to the CBI by Calcutta High Court citing lapses in the police investigation.

Police said that when 'Nabanna Abhiyan' became violent as protestors started breaking barricades and pelting stones, force was used. The lathi charge was done at Howrah Bridge’s Kolkata end.

Lathi charge was also done near Santragachhi Railway station on Kona Expressway, while tear gas shells were used near Fort William. Many arrests have also been made.

On the question of stone pelting, Kolkata Police Commissioner (Central) Indrani Mukherjee said, "We will see whatever happens, there is no problem."

She refused to reveal the number of arrests made so far and said, "We will count that later. It is important to see things here first."

The West Bengal Police used force despite Governor C V Ananda Bose's request to not unleash state power on protestors, where he quoted Supreme Court's order.