Durand Cup derby called off as protests erupt over doctor's rape and murder

The Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Durand Cup derby scheduled at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday has been called off because of the prevailing unrest in the cityThe decision was taken following a meeting between the Kolkata Police officials and organisers of the tournamentThe city has witnessed widespread protests following the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9On Saturday the Indian Medical Association called for a 24hour nationwide strike to protest the heinous crimeAround one lakh people are expected to gather near the 66000capacity stadium especially after both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal fan clubs called for protestsOn behalf of the Durand Cup Organising Committee this is to regretfully inform you that the final Group A fixture between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Emami East Bengal FC scheduled to be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on August 18 2024 at 700pm stands abandoned said a statement from Durand Cup MediaThe Prederby press conference scheduled for 530pm today August 17 2024 also stands cancelled it addedAll online and offline tickets will be refunded following the cancellation of the match according to their ticketing partner BookmyshowThe dates and the refund process will be notified within the next two days it addedAlso Read Sunil Chhetri melts hearts with tweet after lifting Durand CupIt is learnt that both the teams will be awarded a point each but it has to be decided by the All India Football Federation AIFF the sports apex body in the countryIt is also not known whether the knockout stage matches and the summit clash which is slated at the Salt Lake Stadium on August 31 will be shiftedThe Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal marquee clash which was the seasons first derby was also the concluding league match of the tournamentAs per the current standings Mohun Bagan are ahead on goal difference against East Bengal and both have six points eachThe six group toppers and two best secondplaced teams will make the cut for the lasteightDespite the cancellation of the derby match Mohun Bagan and East Bengals fans clubs have vowed to come together and make their voices heardSarkar maath atakale amra raasta atkabo If the government stops us to enter the stadium we will block the roads reads a poster jointly issued by Mohun Bagan and East Bengal fan clubsTerming this a Black Day for Kolkata Maidan Prasenjit Sarkar president of the Mariners Base Camp Ultras Mohun Bagan said fans from both the clubs will join together for one common cause justice for RG Kar victimThe government has dealt a severe blow to football by calling off the derby The governments action has shown a desire to impose an autocratic rule and we cannot stand by it silently Sarkar told PTITomorrow Mohun Bagan and East Bengal fans will join for a cause and no one can stop us from our voices being heard There will be thousands on the street opposite the stadiumPolitics should never be allowed in the stadium This time we will stand up together for a bigger causeTogether with tifos and banners we will demand justice They may try to silence us but we will not let our voices go unheard he addedRabi Shankar Sen of East Bengal the Real Power also said they will come in huge numbers and gather in front of the stadiums VIP gateWith agency inputs