The incident of rape and murder of a trainee female doctor in West Bengal has sparked outrage. On Wednesday midnight, such an event occurred at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, endangering the lives of doctors, patients, and the general public. Disguised as protestors, anarchists infiltrated the hospital late at night and wreaked havoc for an hour. They broke police barricades, vandalized the campus, and assaulted duty staff. Doors, windows, beds, medical equipment – nothing was spared.
The question remains – was this mob attack on the hospital or a cover-up attempt to destroy evidence? Who allowed chaos for an hour, and who were these people? Why did the incident occur, and who is involved? What demands were the protestors making outside the hospital? Although police are investigating the matter,
Let’s delve into the entire episode of chaos at the hospital...
The vandalism at the hospital also triggered political accusations. TMC and BJP have started blaming each other. The BJP accused TMC of hooliganism, while TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee stated that those responsible for the attack have been identified and action will be taken against them.
In fact, on August 9, the body of a 31-year-old female resident doctor was found at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The body had multiple bleeding wounds, and the neck bone was fractured. It was revealed that the trainee doctor was raped and then murdered. Police investigated the case and arrested an accused named Sanjay. Sanjay is in police custody for 14 days. However, the doctors' anger hasn't subsided, and they remain on strike. Five days after the incident, the case reached the High Court, which handed over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A team from CBI has arrived in Kolkata.
Source: aajtak
How Many People Entered the Hospital?
According to the police, about 40 miscreants disguised as protestors entered the hospital premises, caused damage to property, and pelted stones at the policemen present there. Tear gas shells had to be fired to disperse the crowd. Police revealed that these miscreants carried sticks, bricks, and rods. They destroyed several CCTV cameras in the area and broke the stage where junior doctors were protesting. A police vehicle was overturned, and many two-wheelers in the area were damaged. Some police officials were injured. Hospital employees have started cleaning the damaged emergency ward.
Why Did Protestors Gather Outside the Hospital at Midnight?
The gathering occurred when protestors, mostly women, took to the streets under the 'Reclaim the Night' campaign and reached the hospital premises. The situation turned violent as the miscreants forced their way into the hospital. The campaign 'Reclaim the Night' aimed to allow women to protest for their freedom and safety. The campaign started at 11:55 PM on August 14, with people carrying placards and banners on the streets, not just in Kolkata but in other cities and towns as well. The campaign gained momentum through social media. At around 2 AM, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal arrived at the scene.
Source: aajtak
What Did the Mob Do Inside the Hospital?
Reports say that the anarchists vandalized the seminar hall on the fourth floor of the hospital, where the female doctor was assaulted. However, Kolkata Police denied this, stating that the crime scene seminar room was untouched and warned against spreading false news. The destruction caused by the mob is evident from the photos showing medical equipment scattered, broken patient beds, and medicines on the floor. Shoes and slippers lying around reflect the chaos.
Broken barricades and chairs are scattered. Doors and windows of the hospital were uprooted. Police vehicles stationed outside the hospital were also vandalized. The chaotic mob outside the hospital even disrupted the protest by resident doctors. Banners and tents were torn, and personal belongings were scattered everywhere.
Source: aajtak
What Angered the Protestor Doctors?
Following the incident on Wednesday night, the resident doctors' protest halted. However, by Thursday afternoon, doctors started a sit-in at an ad-hoc camp at RG Kar Medical College, demanding justice. The doctors allege that they were first attacked at the permanent protest site, and some doctors were assaulted. Seeing the violent miscreants, doctors hid to save their lives. The permanent camp was destroyed. There was more vandalism in the morning. Doctors demand the police to find out how the miscreants entered and why they vandalized the emergency and assaulted their colleagues.
How Did the Mob Enter... Was It an Intelligence Failure?
The protesting doctors have raised questions about the police's conduct. A protesting medical student stated that when the miscreants entered the hospital at night, their colleagues were protesting. After the attack, the doctors had to run to save their lives. What happened was very wrong, and it should be questioned to the police. How did such a large crowd enter the hospital? How were they allowed? Two days back, a similar incident occurred despite police presence. Their seniors kept requesting the police. A similar incident occurred on Wednesday night. How can we believe that the police had no idea, or was the intelligence service inadequate? Just standing around all day isn't enough.
Source: aajtak
Where Did the Mob Come From and Who Were They?
Another medical student said that the incident happened despite the police presence. The police should be aware of everything and answerable. Our colleagues were assaulted, and the entire emergency was destroyed. This was outside interference with an intention. The police should find answers since the miscreants destroyed CCTV cameras around to hide their identity and evidence. However, the police recovered CCTV footage outside, leading to the arrest of nine people. Local doctors claim they live in fear and seek protection.
RG Kar Medical College trainee doctor Hassan Mushtaq said they planned to leave the protest site at 11 PM. However, a group of people outside the campus was chanting 'We want Justice.' They didn't leave, and the crowd turned aggressive. They tried entering the campus and eventually started vandalizing. We had already asked our female team to leave. After they left, the crowd broke barricades and entered. We had to run for our lives.
Source: aajtak
What Did the Eye-Witness Guard Say...
Hospital guard Pranav Das said his duty was at the main gate. Suddenly, a mob of around 5000 arrived at night, breaking the gate. They ran to save their lives. Police were present too. The miscreants destroyed everything they saw. They came with a plan, and it's unclear who they were. All cameras were broken, and chaos ensued. Assault happened. Nothing was spared.
Why Did Medical Staff Protest?
RG Kar Medical College nurses protested the vandalism on Thursday morning, demanding proper security. The protesting nurses said such hooliganism inside the hospital is unacceptable. The protesting doctors stated that the miscreants entered the premises and attacked the demonstrating doctors and nurses. This incident was an attempt to break their morale, but it has strengthened their resolve to fight till the end. They accused the police of failing to act despite their presence. The police outpost in the hospital was also vandalized.
Source: aajtak
What Did the Police Commissioner Say?
After inspecting the site, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal stated they are investigating the matter and condemned the negative media campaign exacerbating the situation. He said the police have done everything to resolve the matter and emphasized that incorrect media pressure makes it difficult for the department. “We have done what is right, and any rumors will face legal action,” he said. Additional police personnel have been deployed outside the hospital for security.
Source: aajtak
BJP Accuses TMC of Sending Goons
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused Mamata Banerjee of sending TMC goons disguised as protestors to disrupt the non-political rally near RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. He claimed the 'protestors' mixed with the crowd purposely to gain entrance and destroy crucial evidence areas, suggesting it was planned.
Source: aajtak
BJP tweeted about the premeditated attack, questioning the Kolkata police's failure to prevent and subsequently address the situation. It accused the administration of failing in its duty and highlighted a 12-hour general strike called by the SUCI (Communist) on August 16 in protest against the vandalism at the hospital.
TMC Demands 24-Hour Arrest of Culprits
TMC General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee demanded the identification and arrest of those responsible within 24 hours and assured the law would deal with them regardless of political affiliation. He posted on social media, condemning the attack and supporting the protesting doctors' demands for security.
Source: aajtak
Adhir Ranjan's Statement...
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury criticized the police commissioner and the CM for avoiding the revelation of the truth behind the incident, claiming the police act under CM's orders.
Governor's Assurance of Strict Action
Governor CV Ananda Bose assured justice and stated that strict action would be taken against those responsible. The principal of RG Kar Hospital expressed shock at the rampant vandalism but assured that emergency services were operational. The victim's father demanded the death penalty for the culprits.
Source: aajtak
