Kolkata, Aug 29 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday hit out at an alleged "malicious disinformation campaign" against her and denied threatening protesting students even as the Congress organised a protest march in Kolkata’s Esplanade area to demand justice for the murdered medic of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The Chief Minister’s remarks came a day after her address to members of ruling Trinamool Congress’ student wing. Banerjee said in a message on X, “Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing. This allegation is completely false."

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury led the protest march in Esplanade to demand speedy investigation into the August 9 murder and rape and protested against Banerjee's alleged threat to protesters.

The Congress march comes on a day after BJP organised a 12-hour Bengal bandh on Wednesday during which sporadic violence was reported and a BJP leader’s vehicle was shot at and attacked with crude bombs in North 24 Parganas, injuring the driver.

The BJP claimed 1,350 of its supporters were arrested and 210 wounded during the bandh. The party has also begun a 7-day sit-in-demonstration at Dorina Crossing at Esplanade against the arrests. Party leaders have also launched demonstrations at all the magistrate offices across the state for next 7 days.

In a related development, former principal of the institution Sandip Ghosh faced Central Bureau of Investigation questions for the 14th straight day. All these days, he has been appearing at the probe agency’s office at 10 am and returning home at 10 pm.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also suspended the membership of Sandip Ghosh.

The cease-work of the junior doctors in West Bengal government's owned hospitals entered 21st day on Thursday even after Banerjee appealed to them on Wednesday to resume duty.

The medics are demanding justice for their 31-year-old lady doctor allegedly raped and murdered on August 9. Sanjay Roy, civic volunteer attached to Kolkata Police, is the lone accused arrested so far.

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