POLICE in India fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of protesters demanding the resignation of a top elected official in the country’s east, accusing her of mishandling an investigation into a rape and killing of a resident doctor earlier this month.

The August 9 killing of the physician while on duty at Kolkata city’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital triggered protests across India, focusing on the chronic issue of violence against women in the country.

Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal state.