A day after supporters of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) were allegedly lathi-charged by the police in the city, different youth and students’ organisations affiliated to the Left parties blocked roads in Kolkata and other parts of the State on Friday.
While blockades were put up at important intersections of the city, the SFI supporters also offered roses to policemen who were deployed on the streets.
Effigies burnt
At a few places, the SFI supporters also burnt effigies of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Rajya Sabha MP and general secretary of SFI Ritabrata Banerjee claimed that 61 supporters of their organisation were injured in the police baton charge on Thursday.
“While the police are protecting the miscreants in the State, they are beating up innocent students,” Mr Banerjee said.
The SFI has decided to extend their programmes till April 6.
While the SFI is planning rallies and organising road blockade on Saturday, on Sunday the women supporters will give flowers to police officers in the city police stations.
The Kolkata Police, however, had denied any excesses on the SFI supporters on Thursday. Kolkata Police Commissioner Surajit Kar Purakayastha has said that the police exercised utmost restraint in dealing with the protestors.
Left Front chairman Biman Basu also condemned the alleged attack on students and said that atrocities by the Trinamool Congress government are visible on every aspect of public life.
Addressing a press conference during the day, Mr Basu warned the ruling party with dire consequences if attempts of using unfair means like booth capturing were made during the upcoming civic polls.
