NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Left and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of collaborating to create unrest in the state. This accusation came after vandalism at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata on Wednesday night, where a mob caused damage to the protest site, vehicles, and public property. Banerjee claimed that the individuals involved were not connected to the student movement and alleged they were affiliated with the BJP.
"Bam (Left) and Ram want to create unrest in Bengal and they both have come together to do this," stated Banerjee, referring to the opposition parties. She further alleged, "The people who vandalised RG Kar Hospital yesterday and created this ruckus are not connected to the student movement of RG Kar Medical College, they are outsiders. I have seen as many videos, I have three videos as I can see, in which some people are holding national flags, they are BJP people, and some are DYFI are holding white and red flags."
On Wednesday night, a mob entered the RG Kar Hospital campus, resulting in significant damage. Security officials intervened to disperse the crowd, but not before considerable havoc was wrought.
Banerjee praised the police for their restraint during the incident. "Yesterday, police were attacked; among them was one Deputy Commissioner (DC) who was there for security purposes, and two Officer-in-charges (OCs). For one hour, they couldn't be found, and when they were found, they were unconscious and were seen blood oozing out from their heads. I informed the police at 3 am and had them taken to Apollo Hospital... I would like to congratulate them that they did not lose patience, they did not hurt anyone."
Additionally, Banerjee mentioned that the case is now under the jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "Now the case is not in our hands, it is in the hands of CBI, if you have something to say, then tell CBI, we have no objection," she added.
The chief minister also addressed the RK Kar rape and murder case, saying that the punishment for this crime should be the death penalty. A post-graduate trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, and the victim's family has alleged that she was raped and murdered.
"This is a very big crime, and the only punishment for it is that the accused should be hung, if the culprit is hanged then only people will learn a lesson from it but no innocent should be punished," said Banerjee.
The incident has sparked nationwide protests by doctors and medical fraternities, with many calling for stringent action against the perpetrators.