The Kolkata police said it arrested 19 people so far in connection with the massive vandalism at state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered. Of the 19 arrested so far, five were identified via social media.
The Kolkata police shared the picture of the suspects involved in the vandalism on Thursday. "19 arrests so far in RG Kar Hospital vandalism. Five of them were identified by social media feedback. If you recognise any of the suspects from our earlier posts, kindly inform us. Thank you for your support & trust," a post by the Kolkata police on Friday read.
The police had also rubbished rumours that the crime scene was vandalised. They added that the mob hadn't touched the seminar hall, where the crime happened, and legal action would be taken against anyone who spread false rumours.
19 arrests so far in RG Kar hospital vandalism. Five of them were identified by social media feedback. If you recognise any of the suspects from our earlier posts, kindly inform us. Thank you for your support & trust. pic.twitter.com/zyY4sOgjBi
— Kolkata Police (@KolkataPolice) August 16, 2024
Meanwhile, a senior health official revealed the extent of the damage inflicted on the hospital by the mob and how it would take weeks for restoration. While the miscreants damaged the emergency, staffers' room, changing room for nurses and medicine store, they also damaged all CCTV cameras. They also ransacked a stage where junior doctors had been demonstrating since August 9 protesting the alleged rape and murder.
Though the police claim that the scene of the crime wasn't touched, the health official said a portion of the seminar hall was vandalised and the doors were damaged. "Massive destruction was carried out by these people. What were they looking for? The degree of devastation is yet to be evaluated," the official told PTI. "Refrigerators with medicines worth several lakhs of rupees stored inside them were also damaged. Tables, chairs, computers, X-ray machines and other devices were also entirely damaged," he added.
Hooligans and Goons now being chased away by Kolkata Police after they have indulged in absolute vandalism & arson. Ransacked the Emergency Room and other areas of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, destroyed public property. Why did Kolkata Police fail to stop this hooliganism? pic.twitter.com/jU9TCHskKh
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 14, 2024
However, the Kolkata Police claimed that they managed to control the mob despite being heavily outnumbered. "Our colleagues deployed at the spot, including the DC (North), tried to fight back using limited resources, putting their own lives at risk until reinforcements arrived to bring the situation under control. Several of our men were injured in the attack, some of them seriously," the police added.
