"I apologize," Mamata Banerjee Says Regarding RG Kar Hospital Victim During Bengal Bandh

 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced today that the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad Foundation Day would be dedicated to the memory of a young trainee doctor who was brutally raped and murdered at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. In her statement, Banerjee expressed her profound sorrow over the tragic loss and offered her heartfelt condolences to the victim's family. She also called for swift justice for the young woman and extended her sympathies to all women across India who have endured similar inhumane acts.

"I apologize," Mamata Banerjee Says Regarding RG Kar Hospital Victim During Bengal Bandh

In a heartfelt message, Mamata Banerjee said, "I dedicate this day to our sister whose life was tragically cut short at RG Kar Hospital a few days ago. We deeply mourn her loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, and we fervently seek speedy justice for her. I also want to extend my condolences to every woman in India who has suffered such brutality."

The Chief Minister also addressed the youth, saying, "I apologize. Students and young people play a crucial social role. It is their duty to inspire society and culture, to keep them awake, and to offer the hope of a brighter future. I urge all young people today to remain committed to this cause, to stay healthy, and to work toward a brighter future."

This announcement came as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called for a 12-hour statewide strike in West Bengal, from 6 am to 6 pm, to protest the police crackdown on participants in a march to the state secretariat, Nabbana, over the Kolkata rape and murder case.

On Tuesday, the streets of Kolkata were scenes of chaos, with clashes, stone-pelting, and violence erupting as the police tried to control the aggressive protesters attempting to reach the state secretariat. The police used tear gas, water cannons, and batons to disperse the crowds. The confrontations, which lasted nearly four hours, resulted in multiple injuries on both sides, including among senior police officers and female protesters. West Bengal's Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, claimed that over 160 protesters, including 17 women, were injured in the police action and called on Governor CV Ananda Bose to "impose President's Rule" in the state.

BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar stated that the bandh was a necessary response to what he described as Mamata Banerjee's "autocratic regime." He said, "We are compelled to call for a dawn-to-dusk strike because this autocratic regime is ignoring the voices of the people and the demand for justice for the deceased doctor. Instead of providing justice, Mamata Banerjee's police are attacking the peaceful citizens of the state, who only want a safe environment for women."

Following a day of unrest, the streets of Bengal were eerily quiet on the day of the bandh, with a heavy police presence deployed across Kolkata to prevent any further violence. Drivers from the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) were seen wearing helmets for safety, as instructed by the government, due to the risk of violence during the strike.

Major airlines, including Vistara, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, issued travel advisories warning passengers about potential disruptions in transportation and traffic. They advised passengers to plan their journeys carefully, stay updated on road conditions, and monitor their flight status to avoid any inconvenience during the bandh.