KOLKATA, 25 AUG

West Bengal government has issued showcause notices to several government-aided schools following allegations that students and teachers have been participating in ongoing protests during school hours.

The protests are in response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Schools in Howrah, Bankura, East Midnapore, and West Midnapore were issued showcause notices, said officials.

Meanwhie, rallies and demonstrations were held in different parts of the state protesting the rape and murder incident.

Civil society members in Kolkata marched from Ramlila Maidan in Moulali to Metro Channel in Esplanade, demanding justice for the victim of the crime that shook the conscience of the nation.

Slogans such as "Hatras theke RG Kar, dharsaner biruddhe othao swar (From Hathras to RG Kar, raise voice against rapes)" rented the air.

"While we demand the chief minister's statement on the issue of women's safety in the state, we also seek punishment of all the rapists -- whether the crime took place in Hatras or Kolkata. There has to be zero tolerance to such horrific attacks on women," said rights activist Satabdi Das, one of the organisers of the march.

Celebrated dancer Mamata Shankar led a rally of her students in the southern part of the city, demanding justice over the incident.

"All we are asking now is to track all those involved in this ghastly crime and ensure prompt justice so that the perpetrators get exemplary punishment. Hang them to death," she said. PTI