Kolkata: Protesters in West Bengal blocked train tracks, stopped buses, and shouted slogans on Wednesday, marking the latest in a series of demonstrations following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor.
On Tuesday, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters marching toward the state secretariat, leading the opposition Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) to call for a 12-hour state-wide strike on Wednesday in response to alleged police misconduct.
Thousands of BJP supporters blocked roads, disrupted railway services, and forced shops to close, while authorities deployed 5,000 police officers to prevent further violence.
The protesters, including many university students, demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her handling of the August 9 incident, which has sparked nationwide outrage. The case echoes the 2012 Delhi gang rape, with activists highlighting persistent high levels of sexual violence against women despite stricter laws.
A police volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime, and the federal police have taken over the investigation
