The protest which marked one year since the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital took place in Kolkata and Howrah, news agency PTI reported.
The cases were lodged at Park Street and Hare Street police stations, according to the police, and included non-bailable offences under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma said CCTV, drone footage, and video clips were being examined to identify those who violated Calcutta High Court directives. “Those who violated the Calcutta High Court’s directives, obstructed police operations, assaulted officers and damaged public property are being identified,” he said, adding that any complaint received would be probed.
The protest saw multiple clashes with the police using barricades and baton charges to disperse crowds. Verma confirmed that video footage of Dinda allegedly threatening police has been seized.
“Days are not far when the police will also be beaten up badly. If our party leadership gives a go-ahead, we will beat up the police personnel in such a manner that they will have to hide behind the ‘achal’ (loose end of a saree) of Mamata Banerjee. We were rallying peacefully when the police lathi-charged us without any reason. I am an MLA and I am saying this,” Dinda was quoted as saying by PTI.
Allegations of assault on victim’s motherÂ
The victim’s mother alleged that she was roughed up by policewomen at Park Street crossing during the protests. “Police pinned me to the ground. They broke my ‘shankha’ (traditional conch shell bangle) and I sustained injury on my forehead,” she said, adding that four to five officers assaulted her. Police have denied using force against the victim’s parents.
Verma termed the injury to the victim’s mother “regrettable” and said the matter would be investigated to determine the veracity of the allegation.
Claim of hospital admission denialÂ
Separately, the victim’s father alleged that a private hospital refused to admit his wife due to “pressure” from the state government.
“The doctor who checked my wife on Saturday evening said that she would be admitted for treatment. But after he left the hospital, there was a sudden change in the attitude of others in the hospital. They started dilly-dallying. Then they told me that my wife could not be admitted as there was some pressure on them from the state government,” he said, as per PTI.
Hospital officials declined to comment. The father claimed police had also tried to prevent the family from joining the rally, despite court permission for a peaceful march.
