Kolkata news highlights: IMA announces 24-hour nationwide strike on Aug 17 over trainee doctor's rape and murder

Kolkata news LIVE updates: Protestors who witnessed mob violence, early on August 15, told news agency ANI, that the police were silent and that the mob was intentionally allowed to vandalise.

One protestor told the agency, “We requested police to deploy more force. We called DC but he did not pick up the phone. Police were silent saying that they had no orders.”

Kolkata news LIVE updates: Prime minister Narendra Modi in his Independence day speech on August 15, addressed the Kolkata rape and murder case, urging state governments to take strict action on crimes against women.

He said, “As a society, we will have to think seriously about the atrocities against women that are happening - there is outrage against this in the country. I can feel this outrage. The country, society, State Governments will have to take this seriously.”

PM Modi also called for capital punishment to instil fear in those committing atrocities against women.

Kolkata news LIVE updates: The Central Bureau of Investigation announced that they had filed an FIR and had begun an investigation on August 14 into the murder and rape of a trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has offered full cooperation and asked the CBI to complete their investigation by Sunday so swift justice could be ensured.

Kolkata news LIVE updates: During a party rally on August 14, chief minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that the BJP and CPI(M) were trying to defame Bengal and create unrest.

She also criticised other parties for blaming the TMC when rapes take place in other BJP and Congress ruled states as well.

Kolkata news LIVE updates: BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, in an interview with ANI on August 14, called the INDIA bloc anti-women and said that they only support the corrupt and the rapists.

She added, “The Congress party does not even take a minute when it comes to raising the slogans of 'Ladki hoon, Lad Sakti hoon,' but when it comes to incidents in places like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and even Delhi, they fall silent.”

Kolkata news LIVE updates: BJP leader and the leader of opposition in West Bengal, Suvdendhu Adhikari said in a post on X that the mob that vandalised RG Kar Medical Hospital and College had been sent by the TMC.

He said, “Mamata Banerjee has sent her TMC goons to the apolitical Protest Rally near RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. She thinks that she is the most shrewd person in the whole world and people won't be able to figure out the cunning plan that her goons appearing as protestors would mix with the crowd and carry out vandalism inside the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.”

Kolkata news LIVE updates: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee condemned the mob violence at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 15.

In a post on X he said, “The hooliganism and vandalism at RG Kar tonight have exceeded all acceptable limits. As a public representative, I just spoke with the Kolkata police commissioner, urging him to ensure that every individual responsible for today’s violence is identified, held accountable, and made to face the law within the next 24 hours, regardless of their political affiliations.”

Kolkata news LIVE updates: A candlelight vigil and protest was held in Durgapur against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor on duty in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Protesting women paid tribute to the victim, according to news agency ANI.

Kolkata news LIVE updates:In a video from news agency ANI, a trainee doctor at RG Kar hospital who was involved in the protests claimed that the march was peaceful until the mob began barricading buildings and vandalising.

He also said,“We had to escape to save our lives from the mob. We a osked our female team to leave.”

Kolkata news LIVE updates: Indian Medical Association's national president told news agency PTI that the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital should take moral responsibility of filing an FIR.

He also said that the parents of the deceased doctor were treated unfairly after the crime and the institution should take ownership.

Kolkata news LIVE updates: Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal alleged that the mob violence on August 15 during ‘Reclaim the Night’ protests was the result of ‘wrong and malicious media campaign’.

The police commissioner said that spread of rumours about the political connections of the main accused and police delays had caused the outburst.

Kolkata news LIVE updates: A violent mob vandalised RG Kar hospital amid ‘Reclaim the Night’ protests in the early hours of August 15.

According to police, 40 people disguised as protestors entered the hospital and then caused damage to property. They also pelted stones on police.

The police used teargas on them to finally disperse them. Many police officials were injured.