In West Bengal, India, protests erupted on Wednesday as demonstrators blocked train tracks, stopped buses, and chanted slogans following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor.
The unrest, which has been ongoing, intensified after police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters marching towards the state secretariat on Tuesday.
Read more: Indian Doctors Call for a Nationwide Shutdown Following the Brutal Rape of a Fellow Medic
In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is currently in opposition in the state, called for a 12-hour strike on Wednesday to protest alleged police misconduct.
On Wednesday, thousands of protesters, many of whom were BJP supporters, obstructed roads and railway lines and forced businesses to close. Authorities deployed 5,000 police officers to manage the situation.
The demonstrations began with university students demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her response to the August 9th incident involving a 31-year-old doctor at a Kolkata hospital.
This case has sparked nationwide outrage, reminiscent of the widespread protests following the 2012 gang-rape of a student in New Delhi. Despite stricter laws, campaigners argue that sexual violence against women remains prevalent.
A police volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime, and federal authorities have taken over the investigation.
