Mamata Banerjee blames Opposition for RG Kar vandalism, says protesting students not involved

Speaking to reporters after visiting Raj Bhavan, Banerjee said, "As far as I have received information, I am not blaming students but some outsider political people- DYFI and BJP- who want to create anarchy in Bengal."

"The ones who vandalised are outsiders. They are not related to the students' protests."

Some miscreants suddenly entered the Emergency building and resorted to violence at a time thousands of women and men took the streets across West Bengal and outside demanding justice for the RG Kar case.

The agitating doctors had to flee owing to the sudden clashes. Media personnel were attacked.

The miscreants vandalised the stage where the protest was taking place. They even overturned the police vehicles.

Some police personnel also received injuries. The police had to resort to using tear gas to disperse off the crowd.

The situation turned grim amid the massive protest organised called 'Relcaim The Night' to seek justice over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee lady doctor at Kolkata's state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and its alleged cover-up that triggered a tsunami of anger against the authorities.

Women and men across West Bengal took to the streets on the eve of Independence Day.

Nine people have been arrested by police so far in connection with the vandalism.

Referring to the rape and murder case which is now under the CBI probe, Banerjee said rape is a "social disease". Adding to that, the Chief Minister said she doesn't believe in victimising innocent people for the sake of speedy investigation.

"Death is very unfortunate. We can't support such an incident. It's a social disease. Such incidents happen across the country. It's a big crime. Capital punishment is the most appropriate punishment for such crimes. Having said that, no innocent person should be victimised just for the sake of speedy investigation."

Slamming the alleged fake news related to the case being circulated on social media, she said, "I would request people not to believe anything they watch on social media. Fake videos through AI have been spread."