Kolkata, August 15– West Bengal police have arrested nine individuals in connection with the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday during protests against the alleged rape and murder of a student doctor. The identities of those arrested have not yet been released.

The protests, which began on Wednesday night to coincide with India’s Independence Day, quickly spread across various parts of Kolkata and other cities in India. The protests, particularly the "Occupy the Night" movement led by women, were a response to the alleged crime and the broader issue of violence against women in the country.

During the protests, a group of demonstrators entered RG Kar Hospital, where extensive vandalism took place. Some vehicles were attacked, and government property was damaged. The police intervened with lathi charges and tear gas to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to 15 police officers.

On Thursday morning, Kolkata Police released photographs of individuals believed to be involved in the vandalism, seeking public assistance in identifying them. However, the suspects had covered their faces, making identification difficult. The arrests were made shortly after the release of these images.

Anubhav Mondal, a doctor who was part of the protest outside the hospital, claimed in an interview with NDTV that he was among the individuals pictured by the police. Mondal stated, "Our protests will continue and grow stronger. Those who think they can intimidate us are mistaken. We demand justice, and we will not stop until we get it. Our primary demand is for a judicial inquiry."

In response to rumors circulating on social media that the seminar room where the 31-year-old trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered had been ransacked, Kolkata Police issued a statement denying these claims. "Nobody touched the seminar room where the crime allegedly took place," the police said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). They also warned that spreading unverified information could lead to legal consequences.

The situation remains tense as protests continue across the region, with demonstrators demanding swift justice for the victim and accountability for those involved in the incident.