Nabanna Abhijan : The victim’s parents alleges being manhandled by the State police

The victim’s mother from RG Kar alleges she was shoved around by Bengal police while trying to take part in a march towards the state secretariat in Nabanna and was hit on the head. Her shankha, a traditional conch-shaped bangle common amongst married Bengali women, got shattered during the scuffle. “Why are they stopping us like this? With a weak voice, she informed PTI, “All we want is to go to Nabanna and demand justice for my daughter.”

Her husband also shared the same experience, stating that in spite of the sanction of a court of law for holding a peaceful protest, the police tried to stop them. He referred to the obstruction as a denial of their rights, stating, “We had to navigate through police at various places just to reach here.”

The parents had been inviting people for weeks, alleging that the authorities were trying to suppress their call for justice. The opposition party had also invited BJP supporters to the rally, but without party flags, saying that it was a desperate bid by the family of a murdered doctor and not a political rally.

Marching through the barricades

There was a tense atmosphere as the march began. Defying police instructions to stay at Rani Rashmoni Road, demonstrators moved towards Vidyasagar Setu to access Nabanna. Under an order from the Calcutta High Court, the police had designated Santragachi bus stop and Rani Rashmoni Avenue the only places of protest.

Officers incessantly urged the crowd to obey through loudspeakers. Many, however, refused; some hammered, others climbed 10-foot barricades.

Officers incessantly urged the crowd to obey through loudspeakers. Many, however, did not give up; some climbed 10-foot barricades, while others pounded iron walls to force an opening.

At key points, a large force of police and RAF officers waited with water cannons at the ready.

“We will reach Nabanna, even if the police want to shoot us.” One of the protesters fervently stated, “The state needs to tell us why Abhaya’s family has not found justice yet after a year.”

By the time it reached Park Street–J L Nehru Road, the march had turned into a sit-in. In addition to injured protesters, Adhikari, party BJP leader Agnimitra Paul, some party MLAs, and the victim’s parents claimed that a police lathi-charge had wounded more than a hundred.