Kolkata Police have ramped up security ahead of the 'Nabanna Abhijan' protest march, anticipating potential violence during the demonstration. Nabanna, the state secretariat and the seat of the West Bengal government, is the target of the protest, which has been organized by an unregistered group claiming to be a student organization. The protest aims to demand justice for the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College on August 9.

Authorities have raised alarms about a possible conspiracy to incite unrest in the state by exploiting the public outrage following the tragic incident. According to the police, one of the protest organizers reportedly met with a political party leader at a well-known five-star hotel. Intelligence reports suggest a plan to provoke widespread disorder to prompt a forceful response from law enforcement.

To maintain order, over 6,000 police officers have been deployed across Kolkata, with barricades set up at 19 strategic locations, including Hastings, Furlong Gate, Strand Road, and Howrah. Additionally, 26 Deputy Commissioners of Police have been stationed at various key points. The barricading efforts began early this morning, with major deployment already in place.

The ruling Trinamool Congress has criticized the BJP, accusing the opposition of attempting to fuel unrest through the Nabanna Abhijan call. In response, the BJP alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is relying on police force as her last line of defense.

Meanwhile, police officials have assured special arrangements for students appearing for the UGC NET exams to reach their examination centers despite the disruption. Ironically, the police noted, the organization planning the protest claims to represent students, yet the demonstration is scheduled on a day when thousands of students are taking exams across the city.

The shocking rape-murder has triggered nationwide protests from the medical community, with thousands of doctors in Bengal continuing their strike despite pleas from both the Supreme Court and the state government to resume work.