Indian police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in Kolkata, who had gathered to demand justice for a female medic who was raped and killed earlier this month.

Thousands of protesters in Kolkata, an eastern Indian city, were dispersed on Tuesday using tear gas and water cannons as they marched to protest the rape and killing of a female doctor earlier this month.

The demonstrators are calling for the resignation of Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, accusing her of mishandling the investigation into the case. They also criticize Banerjee’s administration for fostering an environment that they believe led to the doctor's murder.

Currently, one man has been detained in connection with the crime. The suspect, who had been a civic volunteer with the local police, is under investigation. However, the victim's family contends that the crime was a gang rape and that more individuals were likely involved.

During the rally, police confronted the protesters with tear gas and water cannons, and several student activists were arrested prior to the event on charges of attempting to incite large-scale violence.

The 31-year-old doctor’s body was discovered at a state-run hospital in Kolkata on August 9. She was reportedly found in the hospital's seminar hall, indicating she might have gone there for a break during her 36-hour shift.

The murder has ignited massive protests, with clashes between police and demonstrators affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which opposes the ruling state government led by Banerjee’s party.

In response to the crime, doctors' associations across India held strikes, which disrupted nonessential services, although medical professionals have resumed work since then.

This case has sparked widespread outrage in India, a country with a population of 1.4 billion, where nearly 90 rapes are reported daily as of 2022.