New Delhi

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. 

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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

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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.

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Also watch | 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. 

"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)