East Bengal, Mohun Bagan fans unite to protest Kolkata rape, murder at Salt Lake stadium

Violent protests in Kolkata over rape and murder of doctor, leading to cancellation of Durand Cup Derby match.

Violent protests erupted near Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata’s Eastern Metropolitan Bypass on Sunday as thousands of sports lovers raised slogans demanding justice for the rape and murder of a doctor at the city’s R.G. Kar Hospital and questioned the decision to cancel the Durand Cup Derby match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

Archrivals in Kolkata Maidan — supporters of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan — came together with their flags and jerseys to protest against the crime and engaged in scuffle with the police. Crowds started swelling at 4 p.m. despite the decision of the organisers to cancel the match. There was a large deployment of police in front of the stadium and the protesters clashed with the police. Police made announcement to the protesters to clear the arterial road and resorted to baton charge to disperse the crowd

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Several people, including supporters of both the clubs, were detained. Among those detained was president of All India Football Federation and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kalyan Chaubey.

Raising slogans of “We want Justice”, the protesters regrouped in the area after some time. The situation continued to remain tense till the evening with protesters and police coming face-to-face. Several protesters said if so many police could be deployed, what was the reason to suspend the derby match.

The decision to “abandon” the concluding Durand Cup Group A match was taken with reports that the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, responsible for managing the security arrangements at the Salt Lake stadium, having failed to commit adequate forces. A usual ‘Derby’ match sees a crowd of about 60,000 people.

Certain leaders of the Trinamool Congress also expressed disapproval against the decision to suspend the football match.