Oppostion trying to make another Bangladesh here: Mamata

With the Calcutta High Court handing the probe to the CBI, Banerjee said the case should be solved and the culprits hanged “by Sunday”.

Addressing a rally in Behala, Banerjee accused the Opposition parties of maligning the state’s image. “A coordinated approach has been executed by the BJP and CPI(M), with support from the Centre, to defame Bengal and exploit the situation… They want to make a Bangladesh here. I have no longing for the chair. I came here to serve people,” she said.

Saying that her government had taken all possible action, she urged the protesting doctors to return to work.

“Under Buddhadeb Bhattacharya’s tenure, many heinous crimes took place. Since there was no social media then, people remained unaware… In many states, including Delhi and Hathras in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, we saw what happened… I want to ask the Congress too, many incidents take place in your states, what action do you take,” she said. “Don’t try to politicise the incident just for a few likes on social media and media footage,” she added.

Women at the ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest in Kolkata on Wednesday. (Image: Partha Paul)

Banerjee announced that the Trinamool Congress would hold a protest rally against the “Baam-Ram (BJP-Left) conspiracy to defame” West Bengal on August 17.

Saying that the Kolkata Police had arrested the main accused within 12 hours, she said: “I gave them time (to complete the probe) until Sunday, because they cannot arrest anyone without investigation. However, the HC ordered a CBI investigation. We have no problem. We also want the culprits to be identified and hanged.”

“I had assured her family that if others were found to be involved, we would arrest them too. The CBI should ensure this now. We demand capital punishment of the culprits by Sunday,” she said. “There are people running a smear campaign on social media. Abuse me as much as you want, but don’t abuse Bangla Maa,” she said.

Women at the ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest in Kolkata on Wednesday. (Image: Partha Paul)

“I was in Jhargram when this incident took place. I spoke to the Commissioner of Police. I also spoke to the victim’s parents and assured them that police would investigate… and that I want capital punishment. I have stood by this. I visited their residence… I was monitoring through the night,” she said.

“We will follow the HC’s guidelines and are cooperating with the CBI. Thirty-four people had been summoned by the police and more people were on the list, but the HC intervened and transferred the case to the CBI. One of the best teams of the Kolkata Police was investigating the matter. We should be sensitive towards the family, instead of politicising the issue,” she said.

“I urge doctors to resume their duties. Three people have died, including a minor and a pregnant woman,” she said. “Following a probe by the health department within 48 hours, I transferred everyone. People have to understand that I cannot act without evidence,” she said.