Kolkata, 08 July (H.S.): Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday led a candlelight protest march in Kolkata over the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur, even as the political row over the police encounter death of the prime accused, Prabhas Mondal, intensified across the state. Reacting sharply to a question on the encounter, Banerjee said the query should be directed to the Chief Minister, while launching a scathing attack on the police, the administration and the BJP over the violence that erupted during the rally.

 

The protest march, organised by the student and youth wings of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), was held with the permission of the Calcutta High Court. The procession began from Ballygunge Phari and concluded at Hazra between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. However, tension broke out shortly after the rally began.

 

According to the TMC, BJP supporters raised slogans of "chor, chor" (thief, thief) from the roadside as the procession passed through the area, triggering a heated exchange between the two sides. The situation soon escalated into clashes, forcing the police to intervene. Reports said lathi-charge was carried out at some locations to bring the situation under control.

 

Speaking to reporters outside her Kalighat residence after the rally, Banerjee reacted angrily when asked about the encounter death of Prabhas Mondal, one of the key accused in the Baruipur case.

 

"Don't ask me such questions. Go and ask the Chief Minister," she said.

 

Banerjee also expressed resentment over the deployment of police and central forces outside her residence. She alleged that her house was under constant surveillance, with authorities monitoring who entered and exited the premises, and claimed that even members of the media were no longer being allowed easy access. She further alleged that she was being kept under conditions resembling "house arrest."

 

"We all know how you came to power. Even then, I will say—run the government properly, maintain law and order and ensure justice for the people. Police keep watch outside my house, but they are absent where women are being subjected to atrocities," she said.

 

Banerjee alleged that despite obtaining permission from the Calcutta High Court to use hand microphones during the rally, the administration failed to cooperate. She claimed that loud DJ music had been played in the area from as early as 6 a.m. in an attempt to disrupt the programme.

 

Accusing the police of failing to enforce the High Court's order, Banerjee said the rally could have remained peaceful had the administration acted responsibly. She alleged that BJP supporters were allowed to create disturbances while the police remained passive.

 

"Our boys and girls took out the rally after obtaining permission from the High Court, yet they were attacked. The police became mere spectators instead of providing protection. If they knew the rally had court approval, why did they fail to discharge their duty?" she asked.

 

She further alleged that an atmosphere of violence had been created in the locality since morning and claimed that both male and female TMC workers were assaulted. According to her, several women workers suffered injuries to their heads and faces. She announced that the party would once again move the Calcutta High Court over the incident.

 

Targeting the BJP, Banerjee said, "Those who loot money in the name of Lord Ram and steal donations from temple donation boxes are now raising slogans in Ram's name and insulting him. I want to tell them, do not defame the name of Ram."

 

Her remarks came amid ongoing political controversy over allegations of financial irregularities involving donations at the Ram Temple in Uttar Pradesh and certain other religious institutions.

 

Banerjee also claimed that the law and order situation in West Bengal had deteriorated significantly, alleging that the state's condition was now "worse than Uttar Pradesh." She said people were no longer receiving adequate protection and that even peaceful democratic protests were facing obstruction.

 

The protest march was organised in response to the alleged rape and murder of a Class VI student in Baruipur. The subsequent police encounter in which prime accused Prabhas Mondal was killed has sparked a major political debate, with opposition parties demanding an independent probe while the police have maintained that the firing was carried out in self-defence after the accused allegedly attempted to snatch a service weapon and escape.