Mixed response in Siliguri to bandh call by BJP

EOI, SILIGURI, AUGUST 28 — The 12-hour bandh called by the BJP in West Bengal on Wednesday in protest against alleged police brutalities during the Nabanna march staged by the party on Tuesday, demanding justice for the lady doctor who was raped and murdered in the R.G. Kar Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, evoked a mixed response in Siliguri. Shops, markets, and shopping malls were closed since the morning. Traffic was thin on the road.

To make the bandh successful, BJP workers and supporters hit the streets in the morning. Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh also led the BJP supporters to make the bandh successful. BJP workers stopped vehicles from plying on the roads. Tyres were burnt on the roads. The MLA also requested school students to support the bandh. Matigara–Naxalbari MLA Anandamoy Burman too participated in the protests.

Mayor of Siliguri, Gautam Deb, however, personally led efforts to make the bandh unsuccessful and normalize the situation in the city. He requested everyone to come down to the streets and keep the shops open. He also tried to keep the flow of traffic normal. He said students should not be prevented from going to school.

Chaos erupted at New Jalpaiguri, where workers of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress had a face-off. BJP MLA Shikha Chatterjee said she had been beaten up by some women Trinamool workers. The BJP lodged a complaint with the New Jalpaiguri police. Eventually, the police controlled the situation.