Police on Tuesday (August 27, 2024) lathi-charged and used water cannons and tear gas to disperse agitators at Howrah Bridge's Kolkata end and near Santragachhi Railway station on Kona Expressway as protesters attempted to break through police barricades in an effort to reach the State secretariat, Nabanna.
Security personnel clash with protesters on M.G. Road near Howrah bridge in Kolkata on August 27, 2024 | Photo Credit: Debasish Bhaduri
At Santragachhi, agitators threw bricks at police, injuring several officers, while protesters claimed that police action also injured several students.
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The protesters were attempting to reach the State secretariat to demand the removal of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the rape-murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College.
Police said they began lathicharging and tear gassing after the agitators managed to breach the barricades at some locations and attacked the security personnel.
Trouble escalated when the student organisation, 'Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj', and the dissident State government employees' platform 'Sangrami Joutha Mancha' began their 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally from various points.
State LoP calls it ‘brutal repression’
Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari alleged that police resorted to “brutal repression” on the peaceful participants and threatened to stall West Bengal if the “brutalities” by State administration was not stopped.
“Police is using water cannon on peaceful protestors at Santragachi, burst tear gas shells on the students at Howrah Bridge, lathicharged them at College Street. Please stop these brutalities immediately,” the senior BJP leader told reporters.
Mr. Adhikari said, “If the police repression is not stopped immediately, We (BJP) will stall West Bengal tomorrow”.
BJP calls for 12-hour general strike in Bengal on Wednesday, TMC sees plot to disrupt peace
BJP called for a 12-hour general strike in West Bengal on August 28 to protest against the police action on those who took part in the march to state secretariat Nabbana on Tuesday.
“We are forced to give the call for a general strike as this autocratic regime is turning a deaf ear to the voices of people, the demand for justice for the deceased doctor’s sister. Instead of justice, Mamata Banerjee’s police are turning on the peace-loving people of the state, who only wanted a safe and secure environment for women,” BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said.
Bengal govt will ensure normal life is not affected: Official
The West Bengal government on Tuesday urged people not to participate in BJP’s 12-hour general strike on August 28, asserting that the administration will ensure normal life is not affected due to the bandh.
“The government will not allow any bandh on Wednesday. We urge people not to participate in it. All steps shall be taken to ensure that normal life is unaffected,” said Alapan Bandopadhyay, the chief advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
He said transport services will remain operational, and shops, marketplaces and other business establishments have been asked to remain open.
Mr. Bandopadhyay also urged State government employees to attend office.
