West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (August 28) slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party's 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' or shutdown protest&nbsp;organised in response to the violence during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally when&nbsp;the police fired tear gas on protesters.&nbsp;

Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to tarnish the state's image.&nbsp;

"We have dedicated this day to the RG Kar doctor. We want justice, but the BJP today called for a bandh. They don't want justice; they are only trying to defame Bengal," she stated.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kolkata-doctor-rape-murder-case-bjp-launches-west-bengal-shutdown-over-police-action-on-protestors-753871">Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: BJP launches West Bengal shutdown over police action on protesters</a>

Describing the bandh as unnecessary, Banerjee criticised the BJP for not demanding the resignations of chief ministers in other states where similar incidents have occurred. She even went on to praise the police for their handling of the 'Nabanna Abhijan' protesters.&nbsp;

"We don't support this bandh. BJP never demanded the resignations of the CMs of UP, MP, and even Manipur. I salute the police for handling the situation well," Banerjee said.

Addressing the broader issue of violence against women, Banerjee called for severe punishment for rapists and announced her government's intent to introduce new legislative measures. "For this, there is only one punishment—to hang till death," she asserted.

Also watch |&nbsp;Kolkata rape-murder case: Protest march to state secretariat

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Banerjee also disclosed plans to introduce a bill within the next 10 days that would mandate the death penalty for rapists in West Bengal.&nbsp;

"Next week, we will call an Assembly session and pass a bill within 10 days to ensure capital punishment for rapists. We will send this bill to the Governor. If he doesn't pass the bill, we will sit outside Raj Bhavan. This bill must be passed, and he cannot evade accountability this time," Banerjee said.

The BJP's call for a '12-hour Bengal Bandh' came after police used lathi charge, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse demonstrators during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally.

(With inputs from agencies)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (August 28) slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party's 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' or shutdown protest organised in response to the violence during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally when the police fired tear gas on protesters.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (August 28) slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party's 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' or shutdown protest organised in response to the violence during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally when the police fired tear gas on protesters. Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to tarnish the state's image. "We have dedicated this day to the RG Kar doctor. We want justice, but the BJP today called for a bandh. They don't want justice; they are only trying to defame Bengal," she stated. Also read | Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: BJP launches West Bengal shutdown over police action on protesters Describing the bandh as unnecessary, Banerjee criticised the BJP for not demanding the resignations of chief ministers in other states where similar incidents have occurred. She even went on to praise the police for their handling of the 'Nabanna Abhijan' protesters. "We don't support this bandh. BJP never demanded the resignations of the CMs of UP, MP, and even Manipur. I salute the police for handling the situation well," Banerjee said. Addressing the broader issue of violence against women, Banerjee called for severe punishment for rapists and announced her government's intent to introduce new legislative measures. "For this, there is only one punishment—to hang till death," she asserted. Also watch | Kolkata rape-murder case: Protest march to state secretariat × Banerjee also disclosed plans to introduce a bill within the next 10 days that would mandate the death penalty for rapists in West Bengal. "Next week, we will call an Assembly session and pass a bill within 10 days to ensure capital punishment for rapists. We will send this bill to the Governor. If he doesn't pass the bill, we will sit outside Raj Bhavan. This bill must be passed, and he cannot evade accountability this time," Banerjee said. The BJP's call for a '12-hour Bengal Bandh' came after police used lathi charge, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse demonstrators during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally. (With inputs from agencies)

CM Mamata Banerjee salutes West Bengal police after teargas use on protesters

Indonesia witnessed one of the worst football disasters in recent times as a stampede at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in East Java left 125 people dead and hundreds injured. A tragedy unfolded at the stadium after the Indonesian police decided to use tear gas to bring the crowd in control following fans' invasion of the pitch.

Persebaya Surabaya defeated bitter rivals Arema FC 3-2 in a high-voltage derby on Saturday before hundreds of Arema fans stormed onto the pitch resulting in chaos. The angry fans reportedly clashed with the police officers on the ground, prompting the security officials to fire tear gas shots at the crowd on the ground and in the stands.

The usage of tear gas triggered a massive stampede in the stadium as fans panicked and tried to escape through the exit gates. There was a huge accumulation of fans at the exit gates as many got trampled to death while others succumbed due to suffocation.

Several videos surfaced on social media showing fans panicking in the stadium and trying to get out. In shocking footage in the aftermath of the deadly stampede, the bodies of scores of fans were seen lying on the ground while some injured were seen getting escorted out.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/indonesia-appoints-independent-commission-to-investigate-deaths-in-football-stampede-522025">Indonesia appoints independent commission to investigate deaths in football stampede</a>

What do FIFA rules state about the use of tear gas to control crowds at stadiums?

FIFA clearly mentions in its security guidelines that the stewards or police officers deployed at the stadium to ensure public order are not allowed to use firearms or 'crowd control gas'.

While the use of tear gas was a clear violation of FIFA guidelines and resulted in deadly consequences in Indonesia on Saturday, there was another rule violation during the stampede at the&nbsp;Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang.

As per FIFA guidelines, the stewards and security officers present inside the stadium need to always ensure that the exit gates, emergency exits and other routes remain unobstructed at all times. However, that was not the case during the stampede at the&nbsp;Kanjuruhan Stadium.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-ugly-scenes-as-129-killed-after-football-match-turns-deadly-in-indonesia-521701">In pics | Ugly scenes as 125 killed after football match turns deadly in Indonesia</a>

32 children dead in tragic incident

As per an Indonesian official, at least 32 children lost their lives during the stampede on Saturday. While ten died inside the stadium, seven breathed their last in a hospital while undergoing treatment. The Indonesian government has formed an independent panel to probe the incident and the death of 125 football fans. As per AFP, nine police officers have also been suspended following the tragedy.

Indonesia witnessed one of the worst football disasters in recent times as a stampede at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in East Java left 125 people dead and hundreds injured.

Indonesia witnessed one of the worst football disasters in recent times as a stampede at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in East Java left 125 people dead and hundreds injured. A tragedy unfolded at the stadium after the Indonesian police decided to use tear gas to bring the crowd in control following fans' invasion of the pitch. Persebaya Surabaya defeated bitter rivals Arema FC 3-2 in a high-voltage derby on Saturday before hundreds of Arema fans stormed onto the pitch resulting in chaos. The angry fans reportedly clashed with the police officers on the ground, prompting the security officials to fire tear gas shots at the crowd on the ground and in the stands. The usage of tear gas triggered a massive stampede in the stadium as fans panicked and tried to escape through the exit gates. There was a huge accumulation of fans at the exit gates as many got trampled to death while others succumbed due to suffocation. Several videos surfaced on social media showing fans panicking in the stadium and trying to get out. In shocking footage in the aftermath of the deadly stampede, the bodies of scores of fans were seen lying on the ground while some injured were seen getting escorted out. Also Read: Indonesia appoints independent commission to investigate deaths in football stampede What do FIFA rules state about the use of tear gas to control crowds at stadiums? FIFA clearly mentions in its security guidelines that the stewards or police officers deployed at the stadium to ensure public order are not allowed to use firearms or 'crowd control gas'. While the use of tear gas was a clear violation of FIFA guidelines and resulted in deadly consequences in Indonesia on Saturday, there was another rule violation during the stampede at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang. As per FIFA guidelines, the stewards and security officers present inside the stadium need to always ensure that the exit gates, emergency exits and other routes remain unobstructed at all times. However, that was not the case during the stampede at the Kanjuruhan Stadium. Also Read: In pics | Ugly scenes as 125 killed after football match turns deadly in Indonesia 32 children dead in tragic incident As per an Indonesian official, at least 32 children lost their lives during the stampede on Saturday. While ten died inside the stadium, seven breathed their last in a hospital while undergoing treatment. The Indonesian government has formed an independent panel to probe the incident and the death of 125 football fans. As per AFP, nine police officers have also been suspended following the tragedy.

Indonesia stadium stampede: What do FIFA rules state about use of tear gas to control crowds?

Health experts have warned that the use of&nbsp;teargas and pepper spray will accelerate the spread of coronavirus as mass demonstrations against police brutality rage on, raising concerns that police tactics could worsen a pandemic that has already taken a disproportionate toll on black and brown Americans.

Nearly 1,300 medical providers and public health experts have signed a petition this week calling for police to stop using the chemical agents, amid scenes of law enforcement officers launching plumes of chemical irritants and smoke to subdue demonstrators in Minneapolis, Philadelphia, New York and many other American cities.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/washington-gears-up-for-major-protest-as-us-officials-move-to-rein-in-police-303848" hreflang="en">Washington gears up for major protest as US officials move to rein in police</a>

“In addressing demonstrations against white supremacy, our first statement must be one of unwavering support for those who would dismantle, uproot, or reform racist institutions,”&nbsp;the open letter reads. “Therefore, we propose the following guidelines to support public health.”&nbsp;

<img alt="US protest" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1ab4a013-055b-49be-9cb9-f68d880a6213" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/4737.jpg" /> 
A protester has her eyes washed after being exposed to teargas in Minneapolis|AFP

Public health experts and civil rights advocates have long advocated against the use of teargas, a chemical weapon that can be lethal, especially to the elderly and those with underlying conditions including asthma. Various international treaties and the Geneva Convention have banned its use&nbsp;in international warfare.&nbsp;

Officials in some cities have agreed to curb its use. On Friday, Seattle’s mayor announced a 30-day moratorium on the use of teargas during protests after an outcry. California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, called for new statewide standards for law enforcement crowd control. And late on Friday night, a federal judge in Denver issued an order limiting the police department’s use of chemical weapons against peaceful protesters.

Because coronavirus spreads through droplets of mucus and spit that people launch into the air when they cough, sneeze, breathe and talk, teargas and other irritants that cause people to choke, hack and rip off their face masks will help the virus proliferate, according to Dr Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease physician who helped draft the petition.&nbsp;

Gas and pepper sprays also cause tears, saliva and mucus to stream from demonstrators’ eyes and noses, said Chin-Hong. “And it’ll cause people to shout and scream, propelling droplets of these fluids – which could be carrying coronavirus – and giving them superpowers, to spread much farther than six feet.”&nbsp;

Moreover, these chemical agents can irritate the nose, mouth and lungs, causing inflammation that could weaken the body’s ability to resist infection, he said.&nbsp;

Health experts have warned that the use of teargas and pepper spray will accelerate the spread of coronavirus as mass demonstrations against police brutality rage on, raising concerns that police tactics could worsen a pandemic that has already taken a disproportionate toll on black and brown Americans.

Health experts have warned that the use of teargas and pepper spray will accelerate the spread of coronavirus as mass demonstrations against police brutality rage on, raising concerns that police tactics could worsen a pandemic that has already taken a disproportionate toll on black and brown Americans. Nearly 1,300 medical providers and public health experts have signed a petition this week calling for police to stop using the chemical agents, amid scenes of law enforcement officers launching plumes of chemical irritants and smoke to subdue demonstrators in Minneapolis, Philadelphia, New York and many other American cities. Also read: Washington gears up for major protest as US officials move to rein in police “In addressing demonstrations against white supremacy, our first statement must be one of unwavering support for those who would dismantle, uproot, or reform racist institutions,” the open letter reads. “Therefore, we propose the following guidelines to support public health.” A protester has her eyes washed after being exposed to teargas in Minneapolis|AFP Public health experts and civil rights advocates have long advocated against the use of teargas, a chemical weapon that can be lethal, especially to the elderly and those with underlying conditions including asthma. Various international treaties and the Geneva Convention have banned its use in international warfare. Officials in some cities have agreed to curb its use. On Friday, Seattle’s mayor announced a 30-day moratorium on the use of teargas during protests after an outcry. California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, called for new statewide standards for law enforcement crowd control. And late on Friday night, a federal judge in Denver issued an order limiting the police department’s use of chemical weapons against peaceful protesters. Because coronavirus spreads through droplets of mucus and spit that people launch into the air when they cough, sneeze, breathe and talk, teargas and other irritants that cause people to choke, hack and rip off their face masks will help the virus proliferate, according to Dr Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease physician who helped draft the petition. Gas and pepper sprays also cause tears, saliva and mucus to stream from demonstrators’ eyes and noses, said Chin-Hong. “And it’ll cause people to shout and scream, propelling droplets of these fluids – which could be carrying coronavirus – and giving them superpowers, to spread much farther than six feet.” Moreover, these chemical agents can irritate the nose, mouth and lungs, causing inflammation that could weaken the body’s ability to resist infection, he said.

Use of teargas and pepper spray will accelerate spread of Covid-19, health experts warn

Hundreds of officials and the pro-establishment elite joined a formal flag-raising ceremony and Chinese National Day reception held behind closed doors in Hong Kong on Tuesday (October 1). Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong under lockdown on China's 70th National Day

Hong Kong protesters on Monday (September 30) formed a human chain to show solidarity ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Watch this video to know more.

Hand-in-hand: Hong Kong protesters form human chain

Hong Kong police fired blue-dyed high pressured water and fired teargas at protesters as violence once again hit the China-ruled city. Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong police fire blue-dye at protesters

Kenyan police fired teargas and clashed with both ruling party and opposition supporters Tuesday ahead of the swearing-in as president of Uhuru Kenyatta after two disputed polls that have left the nation deeply divided.

As foreign and local dignitaries poured into the 60,000-seat Kasarani stadium in Nairobi where the ceremony is to be held, the opposition attempted to gather for a &quot;memorial rally&quot; honouring the more than 50 people killed, mostly by police, in four months of political upheaval.

However, police fired volleys of teargas and beat opposition supporters, prompting running battles in the area, an AFP reporter said.

Meanwhile at the Kasarani stadium chaos erupted as a crowd attempted to force its way into the venue, prompting police to fire teargas at Kenyatta supporters who tried to fight their way in.

&quot;I just want to see President Uhuru Kenyatta because I voted for him, why are we being beaten like NASA (opposition),&quot; said Janet Wambua, who was among the angry crowd.

Joseph Irungu of the interior ministry planning committee had said there was space for 40,000 people who did not get in to watch the event on big screens outside the stadium. However, no such screens were provided, further angering the crowd.

Around 13 mostly African heads of state are expected to attend the ceremony where Kenyatta, 56, will be sworn in for his second and final five-year term.

These include the presidents of South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and Somalia - among others - while prime ministers, foreign ministers, and special envoys will represent other African nations, as well as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine and Serbia.

Two elections and a historic court case&nbsp;

Kenyatta&#39;s inauguration comes after the Supreme Court validated his victory in last month&#39;s rerun poll.&nbsp;

However, the swearing-in may not draw a line under the country&#39;s political crisis with Odinga vowing to fight on.

The electoral strife goes back to an August 8 poll that was annulled in September by the Supreme Court, citing &quot;irregularities and illegalities&quot;.&nbsp;

The court ordered a rerun in October that was boycotted by the opposition, handing Kenyatta a landslide of 98 percent of votes cast by just 39 percent of the electorate.

The disputed election season has split the country along ethnic and regional lines, although political violence has not reached the scale of that which followed a 2007 poll when 1,100 were killed.

Odinga, denied the presidency for a fourth time this year, believes that he was cheated and the 72-year-old has refused to recognise the result.&nbsp;

He has promised to found a &quot;third republic&quot; - following independence from Britain in 1963 and a new constitution adopted in 2010 - as well as to continue a programme of protests and economic boycotts aimed at undermining Kenyatta&#39;s &quot;dictatorship&quot;.

The current political crisis draws on a deep well of social, ethnic and geographic grievances in the country of around 48 million people.

In areas loyal to Odinga, an ethnic Luo, there is a sense of having been ground down and discriminated against since independence, not least by Kenyatta&#39;s Kikuyu group, which has given Kenya three of its four presidents.

The months of disruption and unrest, plus the holding of two separate elections, have badly affected the economy, hitting the poorest hardest while leaving the wealthy political elites relatively unharmed.

Chaos erupted as a crowd attempted to force its way into the venue, prompting police to fire teargas at Kenyatta supporters who tried to fight their way in

Kenyan police fired teargas and clashed with both ruling party and opposition supporters Tuesday ahead of the swearing-in as president of Uhuru Kenyatta after two disputed polls that have left the nation deeply divided. As foreign and local dignitaries poured into the 60,000-seat Kasarani stadium in Nairobi where the ceremony is to be held, the opposition attempted to gather for a "memorial rally" honouring the more than 50 people killed, mostly by police, in four months of political upheaval. However, police fired volleys of teargas and beat opposition supporters, prompting running battles in the area, an AFP reporter said. Meanwhile at the Kasarani stadium chaos erupted as a crowd attempted to force its way into the venue, prompting police to fire teargas at Kenyatta supporters who tried to fight their way in. "I just want to see President Uhuru Kenyatta because I voted for him, why are we being beaten like NASA (opposition)," said Janet Wambua, who was among the angry crowd. Joseph Irungu of the interior ministry planning committee had said there was space for 40,000 people who did not get in to watch the event on big screens outside the stadium. However, no such screens were provided, further angering the crowd. Around 13 mostly African heads of state are expected to attend the ceremony where Kenyatta, 56, will be sworn in for his second and final five-year term. These include the presidents of South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and Somalia - among others - while prime ministers, foreign ministers, and special envoys will represent other African nations, as well as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine and Serbia. Two elections and a historic court case Kenyatta's inauguration comes after the Supreme Court validated his victory in last month's rerun poll. However, the swearing-in may not draw a line under the country's political crisis with Odinga vowing to fight on. The electoral strife goes back to an August 8 poll that was annulled in September by the Supreme Court, citing "irregularities and illegalities". The court ordered a rerun in October that was boycotted by the opposition, handing Kenyatta a landslide of 98 percent of votes cast by just 39 percent of the electorate. The disputed election season has split the country along ethnic and regional lines, although political violence has not reached the scale of that which followed a 2007 poll when 1,100 were killed. Odinga, denied the presidency for a fourth time this year, believes that he was cheated and the 72-year-old has refused to recognise the result. He has promised to found a "third republic" - following independence from Britain in 1963 and a new constitution adopted in 2010 - as well as to continue a programme of protests and economic boycotts aimed at undermining Kenyatta's "dictatorship". The current political crisis draws on a deep well of social, ethnic and geographic grievances in the country of around 48 million people. In areas loyal to Odinga, an ethnic Luo, there is a sense of having been ground down and discriminated against since independence, not least by Kenyatta's Kikuyu group, which has given Kenya three of its four presidents. The months of disruption and unrest, plus the holding of two separate elections, have badly affected the economy, hitting the poorest hardest while leaving the wealthy political elites relatively unharmed.

Teargas, chaos as Kenyatta to be sworn in for disputed second term

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