West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar on Wednesday condemned the police action on the student protesters during the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ march in Kolkata and adjacent Howrah on Tuesday and wrote to Governor CV Ananda Bose seeking their “unconditional release”.
He highlighted the “excessive use of force by the police” and wrote, “With due respect, I am writing to draw your attention to the recent incidents of excessive use of force by the police against peaceful student activists during Nabanna Abhijan protest, organised by Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj. An unspecified number of students have been detained in Howrah, Kolkata, and other areas across West Bengal.”
“The actions of the police in this instance appear to be disproportionate and unprovoked, undermining the democratic values that we, as a nation, uphold. In light of these grave concerns, I earnestly request you to take immediate and necessary steps to address these instances of police excesses. Additionally, I urge you to instruct the state police to release all the student activists currently in custody unconditionally, as their detention violates their democratic rights,” he added.
What Happened During ‘Nabanna Abhijan’
Large-scale violence on the streets of Kolkata and adjacent Howrah marred the cries for justice for the RG Kr hospital victim on Tuesday afternoon after protestors, aiming to reach the West Bengal state secretariat, Nabanna, fought pitched battles with the police at multiple stoppage points.
The violence, which lasted for nearly four hours, led to several injuries on both sides with senior police officers and women protestors among those who were hurt.
More than 200 people were arrested from across the state, police said.
Protestors took to the incessant pelting of stones and glass bottles on the police at several spots where their progress was stopped. Fifteen personnel of the Kolkata Police and 14 from the state police force were injured in the clashes, police said.
Police resorted to large-scale lathi-charge, unleashed water cannons, and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the aggressive crowd who poured in from multiple converging points at Nabanna. The march to the secretariat was organised by a newly formed students’ group, Chatra Samaj.
BJP’s Bengal Bandh
The ‘Bangla Bandh’, which began at 6 am, was called by the BJP in protest against police action on the participants of ‘Nabanna Abhijan’. Daily life was somewhat affected in parts of West Bengal. In Kolkata, the usual busyness on the roads on a weekday morning was missing with a lesser number of buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis plying. Private vehicles were also significantly less in numbers, even as markets and shops remained open as usual.
Schools and colleges remained open, while in most private offices, attendance was lesser with employees being asked to work from home. In Bhabanipur, BJP MLA Agnimitra Pal urged people with folded hands not to take out their vehicles.
BJP workers demonstrated at the Bongaon station in North 24 Parganas, Gocharan station in South 24 Parganas, and the Murshidabad station in support of the bandh. Tension was palpable at the Barrackpore station in North 24 Parganas as BJP supporters and TMC workers came face to face.
TMC Vs BJP Over Bengal Bandh
The 12-hour strike has triggered a political slugfest as TMC and BJP leaders are busy in a war of words. While BJP leaders have called out police and state government for their actions on protesters, TMC leaders have claimed that BJP wants to create chaos in the state.
Mamata Dedicates Trinamool Event To RG Kar Victim
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed her grief and solidarity with the family of the RG Kar victim.
In a post on X, CM Mamata said that she is dedicating the foundation day of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad to the victim of the incident.
“Today, on the foundation day of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, I am dedicating it to our sister, whom we mourned the tragic loss of at RG Kar Hospital a few days ago. Expressing our heartfelt condolences and seeking immediate redress for that incident. Our hearts go out to all the women of all ages who have been victims of inhuman incidents. Sorry,” she said in a post in Bengali.
The West Bengal Chief Minister, further emphasized that students and youth have a great social role.
“It is the task of student society to give the dream of a new day by keeping the society and culture awake and to inspire everyone around with the bright vows of a new day. My appeal to all of them today, be encouraged in this effort, and stay committed. My dear students, stay well, stay healthy, stay committed to a bright future,” Mamata Banerjee said.
