In preparation for a massive protest march to Nabanna, the West Bengal secretariat in Howrah, Kolkata has been turned into a virtual fortress with heightened security arrangements. Over 6,000 Kolkata Police personnel have been deployed throughout the city to maintain law and order in anticipation of the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ protest organized by Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj, a student group. The protestors are demanding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation following the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The police have installed three-layered security barricades at 19 strategic points, with additional aluminium barricades erected at key locations to prevent any untoward incidents. The security setup includes officers from Kolkata Police, Howrah City Police, and specialized units such as the Heavy Radio Flying Squads (HRFS), Rapid Action Force (RAF), Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), and even drones and water cannons. An Additional Commissioner of Police has been tasked with overseeing the security arrangements, supported by officers of Joint CP and DCP rank stationed at critical junctures including Howrah Bridge, Hastings, and Hooghly Bridge.
Kolkata Police have reached out to the organizers of the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ seeking details about the number of participants, the names of leaders involved, and the route of the protest march. However, the student outfit has yet to respond to these inquiries. The police have declared the protest march illegal, citing the lack of permission and concerns over potential violence. Intelligence reports suggest that two major rallies will converge on Nabanna, one starting from College Square in Kolkata and the other from Santragachi in Howrah. The distance from College Square to Nabanna is approximately 10 kilometers, while the route from Santragachi covers around three kilometers.
The rally is being organized by Prabir Das, an MA student from Rabindra Bharati University, Subhankar Halder from Kalyani University, and Sayan Lahiri from Rabindra Mukta University. The student organizers have stated their apolitical stance and have outlined three main demands: justice for the deceased doctor, capital punishment for the perpetrator, and the resignation of Mamata Banerjee, who serves as both the health minister and oversees the state police. Despite the student organizers’ assertions, the junior doctors leading the protest for justice for the deceased trainee doctor have distanced themselves from the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’, opting instead for a separate demonstration in Central Kolkata.
Traffic disruptions are expected across several major roads in Kolkata, including Vidyasagar Setu, Khidderpore Road, and AJC Bose Road. Traffic police are on alert to divert vehicles as necessary to manage the situation. Additional restrictions and prohibitory orders have been imposed to control crowds and ensure safety in the areas around Nabanna.
The protest has also sparked a political war of words. Trinamool Congress leaders have accused the BJP of instigating the protest, alleging that the opposition party is attempting to incite violence. Trinamool leaders have presented video evidence they claim shows BJP leaders planning to provoke police action against the protesters. They argue that no formal permission has been sought for the rally and that previous statements by BJP leaders indicate a deliberate attempt to create unrest. BJP, on the other hand, has denied any involvement in organizing the march but expressed support for those raising their voices against injustice. CPI-M, another major political player in West Bengal, has also chosen to abstain from participating, labeling the protest as being orchestrated by an “RSS-backed body.”
The tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College has galvanized public outrage. The body of the trainee doctor was discovered on August 9, and subsequent investigations confirmed that she had been raped and murdered. A suspect, Sanjoy Roy, a civil volunteer with the Kolkata Police, has been arrested and is currently in judicial custody. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting a thorough probe into the case, including a polygraph test on the accused.
As tensions run high, the authorities have extended prohibitory orders near RG Kar Medical College to prevent large gatherings and maintain peace. These measures will remain in place until August 31, underscoring the administration’s commitment to preventing further unrest while ensuring justice for the victim.
