Horrible violence and vandalism took place in Kolkata’s prestigious RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on the night of 14 and 15 August. While this violence has created a tense atmosphere in Kolkata, West Bengal, anger has once again increased among doctors across the country. This violence has created a sensation in the city and at the same time, many questions are also being raised. The Lallantop team visited the spot and has presented the complete picture of the situation after this horrific night.
The full statement of what has come out in the video of Lallantop is something like this, ‘There was a tense atmosphere at the main gate of RG Kar Medical College since around 11 pm on the night of 14 August. A big demonstration was planned by the leftist organizations on the midnight of 15 August. Before this, a march was going on from Kolkata Railway Station to Shyam Bazaar Road.
This protest was to be held in protest against the rape and murder that took place on the night of 8-9 August. Resident doctors and junior doctors of the medical college were already protesting against this incident and demanding justice. At this protest site, which was inside the gate of the medical college, there was a very tense atmosphere from the beginning of the protest. The protesters were also accusing the police and demanding security to be provided to them.
Around 11:30 pm, Lallantop reporter RG Kar reached the medical college. Protesters were gathered outside the gate, which included men, women and transgenders. The police had completely closed the gate of the medical college with barricades. Two rows of policemen were deployed to protect the barricades. The situation was extremely tense, and a group of protesters started kicking and pushing the barricades to break them down. In no time, a crowd came from one side, and infiltrated among the protesters. This crowd included young people from 17 to 25 years of age. This was a crowd of completely unknown people.
The first two attempts made by these youths to dismantle the barricades were unsuccessful, but in the third attempt they succeeded in bringing down the barricades. However, a section of the protesters was telling the protesters not to try to enter inside.
But, when the barricade broke, the doctors ran inside the hospital to save their lives. The police personnel also went inside the hospital to save their lives, which made it clear that the police force was not prepared to face this violent mob. The policemen did not have any adequate resources with which they could control the crowd. They were not at all prepared to face the angry mob.
As soon as the mob entered the gate, it first targeted the protest site. This temporary structure made of bamboo and tarpaulin was demolished and then destroyed. Chairs were broken. Bamboo structures were uprooted and thrown away. Overall, every effort was made to destroy everything there and the pictures that were seen after the violence clearly show that the rioters have succeeded in their aim. After this, the mob headed towards the emergency ward. Here, the police post was completely demolished.
Inside the wards, glass windows were broken, medical equipment was destroyed, and sterilized medical material was thrown away. The nurse station near the entrance was also not spared. They also damaged the medical officer’s room and admission counter inside the hospital. Sign boards outside the hospital were also torn down. The admission counter was vandalised. The medical officer’s room was also destroyed. Several channel gates were broken. Beds, lights, fans in the emergency room were also broken. Important machines were also damaged. The nurse station is also in a bad condition.
The entire hospital is in a very bad condition. The water pipe has burst due to the vandalism, due to which the hospital is getting flooded with water.
After this incident, there is an atmosphere of great panic among the doctors and nurses of RG Kar Medical College. Doctors were forced to hide in their wards and hostels. Some doctors even hid in the bathroom. During this time, different rumors kept spreading inside and outside the hospital, which made the situation even more frightening. This violence continued for about 20 minutes. During this time, the police force fired tear gas shells, rubber bullets and lathi charge to control the crowd. Media personnel also had to run away from the spot for their safety. After this, the police gradually controlled the situation.
Questions are also being raised about who was behind this entire incident. Was this violence sponsored by any political party? Was BJP, TMC, Left or Congress behind it? No concrete evidence has been found about this yet. People are sharing information on social media according to their own understanding, but there is no authentic basis for it. After the incident, the CBI team visited the RG Kar Medical College and inspected the crime scene.
However, the seminar hall in which the doctor was murdered is still safe and has not been tampered with. Actually, the hospital administration was renovating a room next to the seminar hall, but it is certain that they chose a very wrong time for this. Because of this, rumors spread that an attempt has been made to destroy the crime scene. The police have kept the crime scene safe so that there is no hindrance in further investigation.
Despite protests for the safety of doctors and nurses, this violence has raised serious questions about their safety. The doctors had demanded protection, but this incident has increased their fears even more. The doctors of RG Kar Medical College have now become even more vigilant, and they want to ensure that their demand for safety is met. This incident has created a major uproar in the medical field of Kolkata. It may be easy to politicise it, but the real issue here is security. Doctors and nurses are raising their voice for their safety, and it is now the responsibility of the administration to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)