The ‘lame’ excuse given by the state sports ministry and Kolkata Police about the unavailibility of police security for the scheduled Durand Cup ‘derby’ between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday was finally exposed. 

State sports ministry and Kolkata police abandoned the scheduled derby citing their inability to deploy enough police force at the Stadium for the match.

But on Sunday hours before the derby Kolkata witnessed a different scenario where  a heavy police force was deployed to resist the unprecedented protest from ‘United’ East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and Mohammedan Sporting fans against the raped and murdered lady doctor at RG Kar Hospital, . 

A massive drama unfolded in front of Salt Lake Stadium after fans of the East Bengal and Mohun Bagan football teams joined the doctors' protests while the Kolkata Police tried to stop them from marching. Heavy police deployment was made outside the stadium and the cops detained some protesters. 

The fans simultaneously raised their voices against canceling the scheduled derby match on Sunday.

Even, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey was seen in the gathering trying to resist police from detaining the fans who finally were released later. Chaubey expressed surprise stating, "Could not have the match been conducted in the presence of such heavy police force? I am surprised.”

Mohun Bagan Super Giants' captain Subhashis Bose and his wife were also seen joining the protest rally. 

A Bengali actress, Mokhsa who now works in the South Indian film industry was also seen in the protest gathering along with the fans. 

A senior officer of the Bidhannagr Commissionerate said that prohibitory orders under section 163 of BNSS had been imposed from 4 pm to midnight on Sunday to prevent any disruption of peace.