Bengal Govt Will Ensure Normal Life Not Affected By BJP’s 12-Hour Bandh : All Employees to attend office

PTI, August 27, 2024 : 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 BJP has called for a 6 am-to-6 pm general strike in West Bengal to protest against the police action on those who took part in the march to state secretariat 'Nabbana' on Tuesday. 

"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. 

Bandopadhyay also urged state government employees to attend office. The police used batons, tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters attempting to reach 'Nabanna' to demand the resignation of the CM over the rape-murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. 

TOI reports that on August 28, 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a 12-hour Bangla Bandh from 6 am to 6 pm to protest police brutality against students demonstrating over a trainee doctor’s rape and murder in Kolkata. Public transport is likely to be disrupted, but emergency services, government offices, banks, schools, and colleges are expected to remain open. 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bengal has called for a 12-hour Bangla Bandh on August 28, 2024, from 6 am to 6 pm. This bandh is in protest against police brutality towards students who are demonstrating against the recent rape and murder case involving a trainee doctor in RG Kar, Kolkata. 

The students protest turned chaotic on Tuesday, with clashes between the police and demonstrators during the ‘ Nabanna Abhijan ’ march in Kolkata and Howrah. The BJP West Bengal announced the Bangla Bandh on its official X (formally Twitter) account. 

It tweeted, “Succeed in the 12-hour Bangla bandh called by BJP tomorrow to protest the brutal police attack on students, torture and insecurity of women in the state.” The BJP has urged business organizations to keep markets closed, but there is no official confirmation from market committees regarding closures. 

Public transport is expected to be disrupted, though emergency services will operate as usual. Government offices, banks, schools, and colleges are anticipated to remain open despite the bandh call. What can we expect?

If the Bandh takes place as planned, public transport is likely to be affected, and educational institutions might stay closed as a result. 

However, there is no official notification yet. Students, parents, and guardians are advised to contact their respective schools for updates on potential school closures. 

India Tv: 

West Bengal Bandh: Will schools be closed? As of now, there is no update about the closure of schools, colleges, and government offices in Kolkata for the Bandh. As of now, schools will open as usual.

Will Kolkata Metro run as usual?

Because of the 12-hour West Bengal Bandh, the Kolkata Metro services are likely to be affected. The regular metro commuters need to check the official website of the Kolkata Metro for the latest updates.

Bengal bandh: Will markets be closed?

The BJP has asked all business organizations to keep markets closed as part of the West Bengal bandh on Wednesday. However, there is no clarity about whether markets will actually be shut down, as market committees have not confirmed the closures.

On the other hand, the 12-hour bandh might disrupt public transport and private offices. However, emergency services such as ambulances, medical services are expected to continue operating.

Moreover, the government offices, banks, schools, colleges, and petrol pumps are also likely to remain open despite the Bharat Bandh call. Apart from this, the essential services like medical care, drinking water, public transport, rail services, and electricity are expected to function normally.

Fresh clash between police, protesters

During the Nabanna Abhiyan rally in Kolkata, fresh clashes broke out between police and protestors on GT Road in Howrah Maidan area when they tried to march towards the state secretariat. To disperse the crowd, police lathi-charged and used water cannons and tear gas towards them who threw stones and bricks at the security forces and attempted to topple barricades blocking their way to the state secretariat.

A policeman, who identified himself as the in-charge of Chanditala police station in Howrah Police Commissionerate, was injured in the clash.

Violent clashes broke out as protestors attempted to reach the state secretariat, Nabanna, to demand the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the rape-murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College.

Police said they started lathicharging and tear gassing after the agitators breached barricades at some locations and attacked security personnel. At Santragachhi, some of the protesters threw bricks at police, injuring several officers, while protestors claimed that police action also injured several students.

Zee News : 

Schools, Colleges, Hospitals Open or Closed?

As the state government has not extended its support to the bandh called by the BJP, the state is likely to function as per its routine. The West Bengal government today said that the schools and colleges in Kolkata or other parts of the state will remain open. The district administration and the government have refused to declare a holiday owing to the bandh. Hospitals will also operate according to their regular schedules.

Railways, Metro, Buses, Auto, Taxis - Open Or Closed?

The state government said that public transportation, including railways, metro, buses, autos, and cab services will operate as usual. However, since Kolkata is at the center of the protests, transport services in some areas may be disrupted. Traffic diversions are anticipated as the Kolkata Traffic Police will likely set up barricades to manage the BJP's demonstrations.

Banks, Government Offices To Remain Open

The West Bengal government today urged people not to participate in BJP's 12-hour general strike on August 28. It said 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.

Bandopadhyay also encouraged state government employees to attend work. Thus, the banks and the state government offices will remain open. He stated that transport services will continue to operate, and shops, marketplaces, and other business establishments have been asked to stay open.