A violent rampage at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a 31-year-old trainee doctor was tragically raped and murdered last week, has ignited widespread controversy. In response, Kolkata Police have released photos of individuals involved in the vandalism, seeking the public’s help to identify them.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Thursday when a group of about 40 people, allegedly posing as protestors, forcibly entered the hospital grounds. They vandalized property, damaged a police vehicle, and threw stones at officers, prompting a tear gas response to disperse the crowd.
Security guard Pronoy Das, who was on duty during the attack, described the chaos: “Around 1 am, a large group, estimated between 500 and 1,000 people, stormed the hospital. Despite our efforts to secure the gates, they were broken down. We were overwhelmed and unable to stop them from destroying everything from computers to medicines and even the CCTV cameras.”
The Kolkata Police have shared images on social media, highlighting several individuals involved in the attack and requesting help in identifying them. The police’s social media post read: “Information wanted: Anyone who can help identify the individuals circled in red in the images below is requested to do so, either directly to us or through your local PS.”
Amid the uproar, political figures have weighed in on the incident. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of orchestrating the vandalism. He alleged that TMC supporters, disguised as protestors, were responsible for the destruction. “Mamata Banerjee’s TMC goons infiltrated the apolitical protest rally and caused mayhem at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital,” Adhikari claimed in a post on X.
The controversy surrounding the vandalism and the subsequent political accusations continue to stir tensions in the city, as calls for justice for the victim and accountability for those responsible intensify.
