Police detain supporters of rival football fans who gathered to seek justice for Kolkata terror incident

In a rare show of camaraderie, supporters of rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan gathered near the Salt Lake City Stadium on Sunday night to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Police detained many fans participating in the protests.

Several supporters of both football clubs initially gathered outside the stadium, holding placards and posters, even as police canceled the Durand Cup match between the country's football clubs, citing concerns about security conditions.

Supporters of both clubs carried each other's flags and chanted, demanding justice for the families of the victims. A heavy police presence has been monitoring the situation. Some time later, supporters of another major football club, Mohammedan Football Club, joined the protest.

Among the protesters were actor Usashi Chakraborty and theater personality Sourav Palodhi, who wore the jerseys of the clubs they supported.

When the protest spread onto the busy EM Bypass and blocked traffic, police officers armed with canes chased the agitators and detained some of them. Although police initially succeeded in breaking up the rally, protesters regrouped in small numbers and continued chanting slogans.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey also arrived at the scene later and met the angry fans of the three clubs.

Speaking to the media, BJP leader Choubey said: “This is very shameful. Law and order in West Bengal has completely broken down. It is impossible for a football match to be held…Look at the police deployment, it looks like a riot is taking place.”

The main road connecting the northern and southern ends of the city was eventually blocked at various locations, including the Kadpara and Belegata link junctions, disrupting traffic in and out of the airport.

“We want justice for our sister who was gang-raped and murdered. We, fans of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Islam, have gathered here peacefully. Why were so many police deployed here? Why did the match have to be cancelled? Didn't we Does the right provide justice for victims?

Police said a restraining order was in place in the area from 4pm to midnight under Section 163 of the BNSS to prevent any breach of the peace.

Some people who gathered here were detained for violating the ban, they said.

Fans tried to block the van's path as police tried to remove those detained.

Palodi said: “We just want to express our outrage at this shocking incident. When women's safety is at stake, nothing can go smoothly. As the sun sets and the night falls, updates from the three clubs Many supporters came to the protest.

A woman wearing maroon green clothes in Mohun Bagan screamed at the police: “When vandals laid siege to RG Kar Hospital and doctors, nurses and ordinary people ran for their lives, where were you? When the hospital's expensive medical equipment was vandalized Where were you? A group of football fans also waved the tricolor flag and the flags of the three clubs and sang the national anthem amid slogans of “We want justice.”

“We have only one demand, we want justice for the doctor and her family,” said an East Bengal supporter, holding a banner that read: “Two clubs but one voice, justice for RG Kar . Police said there was intelligence that someone would try to cause violence during the game, so the game was called off.

“We have specific information that some groups and organizations will try to cause disturbances inside the stadium,” a senior police official said, adding that 63,000 spectators were expected to attend the game.

“Considering the safety of football fans, we discussed the matter with the Derby committee and decided to cancel today's match,” he said.

The postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar MCH. In the early hours of August 15, as demonstrations over the horrific incident were ongoing, a mob ransacked parts of the hospital.

(Including PTI input)