Protests are continuing across the country over the rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Doctors and other medical staff are protesting in different parts of the country, affecting health facilities.
The situation in Kolkata city is not completely alright right now. Due to the current unrest in the city, the Durand Cup match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal scheduled to be held at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday (August 18) has been cancelled. The decision was taken after a meeting between Kolkata Police officials and the tournament organisers.
An official told news agency PTI, ‘Both the teams will be given one point each, while fans will get full refund for the tickets purchased. It has also been learned that all the matches of Durand Cup to be held in Kolkata may be shifted to Jamshedpur.
BJP leader Amit Malviya has targeted the state government after the match was cancelled. Malviya wrote, ‘Mamata Banerjee’s police has cancelled Kolkata’s most awaited football match East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan derby scheduled for August 18. All tickets were sold. The reason given was – inability to provide security for the game. This tells a lot about the law and order situation in West Bengal under Mamata Banerjee’s rule.
He further wrote, ‘Let alone the state’s population of 10 crore, we are unable to provide security to about 60,000 people. But the real reason is that supporters of both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan were planning to carry posters and placards demanding Mamata Banerjee’s resignation as well as justice for the victim. The game was cancelled due to the fear of such a massive protest.’
In an unprecedented move, Mamata Banerjee’s police have cancelled Kolkata’s most awaited football match, the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan derby, which was scheduled to take place on August 18. All tickets were sold out. The reason given: inability to provide security for the game.
This says a lot… pic.twitter.com/5PQCTwKH4r
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 18, 2024
The body of a post graduate doctor of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital was found on August 9, following which there have been widespread protests. The Indian Medical Association has called for a 24-hour nationwide strike on Saturday to protest the alleged rape and murder of its colleague.
Let us tell you that the Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in Asia. Its first season was played in 1888. A total of 43 matches are being played in the Durand Cup 2024 in a round-robin league and knockout format. 24 teams are participating in the tournament, which are divided into six groups. The top team of each group along with the next two best teams will qualify for the quarter-finals. Continuing its commitment to spread the tournament further in the east and north-east of the country, two new cities Jamshedpur and Shillong were added as hosts this year as well.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)