Nabanna Abhijan Highlights: Violence mars rally; BJP calls 12-hour Bengal bandh on Wednesday

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: As the situation in Kolkata remains grim following student protests demanding the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the rape and murder of a second-year trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said that CBI should do a polygraph test of Mamata Banerjee and the Police Commissioner.

"If there is any dictator in the country, then that dictator is Mamata Banerjee. The truth should come out, the investigating agency CBI should do a polygraph test of Mamata Banerjee and the Police Commissioner," Bhatia said while addressing a press conference.

"The truth cannot be suppressed and the biggest thing is that as long as these people are in their positions and are crushing the students, tearing the Constitution to pieces, this will not be tolerated, this issue will be raised strongly as it has been raised today," he added.

In response to growing concerns over the safety of women doctors, Karnataka Minister for Medical Education & Skill Development, Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, convened a crucial meeting with officials and key stakeholders at the Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute (BMC&RI) on Tuesday.

The discussions focused on bolstering security across medical institutions, following national outrage over the recent rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata.

Minister Patil emphasized the government's commitment to safeguard the medical professionals, particularly women, by enhancing existing security measures.

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose says, “I would say disproportionate force and coercive power was used by the state in dealing with the situation, ignoring the Supreme Court's own pronouncements that the state power shall not be unleashed against peaceful protesters. This is the ghastly sight which we saw today on the streets of Kolkata. Certainly, this cannot be appreciated in any manner...As Governor, I am watching, I have taken my own inference. Right at the moment, I have difficulties in making my decisions public. The gravity of the situation is such that all players in public life feel like coming together and challenging the irresponsible behaviour of the government. The situation is far from normal."

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Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia on Tuesday strongly criticised the TMC-led West Bengal government for the Kolkata police's crackdown on protesters participating in the ‘Nabanna Abhijaan’ Rally. The protest was held amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged rape-murder case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Security personnel deployed on Howrah Bridge used tear gas, water cannons, and lathicharge to disperse the protesters marching toward the West Bengal State Secretariat, Nabanna.

Bhatia condemned the actions of the West Bengal government, labeling them as "dictatorial." He stated, "What's happening in Nabanna clearly shows what dictatorship looks like."

Bhatia also accused the government of double standards in handling protests, claiming that while student protesters faced a harsh crackdown, "lungi-wearing infiltrators, assumed to be TMC members due to their religion," were allegedly allowed to protest without police interference.

He demanded the resignation of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the Police Commissioner.

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: Clashes erupted on Tuesday between police and protesters in various parts of Kolkata and Howrah as demonstrators tried to break through barricades on their way to the West Bengal secretariat, ‘Nabanna’. The protesters were demanding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation over the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital earlier this month.

In response to what they called "brutal" police action against "peaceful" protesters, the BJP announced a general strike for Wednesday. The ruling TMC criticized the strike, accusing the BJP of attempting to create chaos. Over 200 people were arrested during the rally.

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose said, "In the context of the peaceful protest announced by the student community of West Bengal and the reported suppression of the protest by certain instructions from the government, I would urge upon the government to remember the strong pronouncement of the Supreme Court of India. Let not the power of the state of West Bengal be unleashed on peaceful protesters. Democracy can have a silent majority, not a silenced majority. Remember that."

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: A polygraph test, also known as a lie detector test, assesses the accuracy of statements from suspects and witnesses. By monitoring psychological responses such as heart rate, breathing patterns, sweating, and blood pressure, investigators can identify discrepancies in their statements.

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: The CBI has received permission to conduct a polygraph test on ASI Anup Dutta in connection with the rape and murder of a woman doctor. The polygraph test for Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has already been completed, according to CBI sources.

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Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: Protestors break police barricades, chant slogans, and agitate over the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case.

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: The West Bengal government on Tuesday urged people to avoid participating in the BJP's 12-hour general strike on August 28. The administration assured that it would take all necessary measures to ensure normalcy is maintained despite the bandh.

The BJP has called the strike from 6 am to 6 pm to protest police actions against those involved in the 'Nabanna' march to the state secretariat.

Chief Advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Alapan Bandopadhyay, stated that transport services will continue, and shops and businesses are expected to remain open. He also urged state government employees to attend work.

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: Over a hundred female artists from the Bengali film industry wrote to the state-run Tele Academy on Tuesday, demanding a safer workplace in the wake of the outrage over the rape-murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital. The letter, also sent to the Eastern India Motion Picture Association (EIMPA) and the West Bengal Motion Picture Artistes Forum, was signed by notable figures including director Aparna Sen, actors Rupa Ganguly, Swastika Mukherjee, Paoli Dam, Sohini Sarkar, Sohini Sengupta, Bidipta Chakraborty, Chaitali Dasgupta, Anuradha Ray, Shakuntala Barua, and scriptwriter Meghatithi Banerjee.

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: BJP President JP Nadda on Tuesday criticised the Kolkata police for their alleged heavy-handedness in dealing with protestors agitating over the rape-murder of a trainee doctor, stating, "In Didi's West Bengal, aiding rapists and criminals is prioritized."

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will consult experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on the DNA and forensic reports related to the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College, officials said on Tuesday.

To build a strong case, the CBI plans to send the reports to AIIMS for expert opinion. The agency aims to determine whether Sanjay Roy, the arrested accused, acted alone or if others were involved in the crime, officials added.

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called a 12-hour general strike in West Bengal on Wednesday to protest the police action against participants of the march to the state secretariat.

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee of protecting those involved in the rape and murder of a doctor at the state-run RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. The BJP also demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conduct a polygraph test on Banerjee. Reacting to the lathi-charge on protesters, the party labeled Banerjee a dictator and called for her resignation.

Read in detail- 'Conduct polygraph test on Mamata Banerjee': BJP on Kolkata rape-murder

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: The National Task Force (NTF) members discussed some of the inputs and representations received regarding the safety, security, and working conditions of healthcare workers at medical establishments, sources said.

"It was decided that the NTF will engage further with stakeholders such as the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and resident doctors' associations to gather their viewpoints and concerns," a source stated. "Given the limited timeline, it's crucial to prepare the draft as soon as possible."

The source also noted, "We have already considered some inputs but plan to expand on them and hold further discussions to ensure the framework is inclusive and comprehensive. This will help us prioritize issues and create a clear implementation plan."

Additionally, the Union health ministry will launch a portal where stakeholders can submit their inputs and views on the matter.

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: The Supreme Court-appointed panel to develop a protocol for the safety and security of healthcare professionals held its first meeting on Tuesday. The panel decided to conduct broader consultations with stakeholders to identify key issues and draft a framework to address them.

The 10-member National Task Force (NTF) was formed after the apex court took suo motu cognizance of the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, which triggered nationwide protests.

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: In Howrah, Indira Mukherjee, deputy commissioner of central division, Kolkata Police, said, "We will handle the situation as it unfolds. We'll tally the number of arrests later; our priority is managing the situation on the ground."

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: The West Bengal Police on Tuesday dismissed BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's claim that four student activists were “missing,” clarifying that they had been arrested for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder.

Read in detail- ‘Nabanna Abhijan’: Suvendu alleges 4 student activists ‘missing’, Bengal Police replies

Nabanna Abhijan LIVE updates: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday filed a money laundering case to investigate alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a woman trainee doctor was reportedly raped and murdered. The case was registered based on an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Read here- Kolkata rape-murder: After CBI, ED to probe ‘financial irregularities’ at RG Kar hospital

Kolkata news LIVE: "The Constitution is being strangled. 'Dictator' Mamata Banerjee is targeting students instead of criminals, yet the INDI alliance remains silent," says BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia during a press conference in Delhi.

Kolkata news LIVE: Protesters break police barricades, stomp on them, and chant slogans in protest over the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case.

Kolkata news LIVE: Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Tuesday accused the police of "brutal repression" against peaceful participants of the 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally in Kolkata and Howrah. He warned that if the "brutalities" by the state administration continued, the BJP would stall West Bengal.

"Police are using water cannons on peaceful protesters at Santragachi, firing tear gas shells at students on Howrah Bridge, and lathicharging them at College Street. These brutalities must stop immediately," Adhikari told reporters.

He added, "If the police repression doesn't stop, we (BJP) will stall West Bengal tomorrow."

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Security personnel on Tuesday used tear gas, water cannons, and lathicharge to disperse protesters on Howrah Bridge as they marched towards the West Bengal State Secretariat, Nabanna, protesting over the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case.

Protesters gathered at Howrah Bridge, clashed with police, and climbed atop barricades during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' protest march.

They were seen breaking and dragging away barricades that had been set up in the Santragachi area en route to the Secretariat.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Kolkata police have detained protestors from Howrah Bridge, who are a part of the 'Nabanna Abhiyan' march over the RG Kar rape-murder case.

The protestors were also hit with tear gas and water cannons as they attempted to break through the barricades outside the Bengal secretariat.