Stones pelted, tear gas charged as protestors and cops clash during 'Nabanna Abhijan'

PTI, KOLKATA, AUG 27, 2024 :  Clashes broke out between police and protesters at different parts of Kolkata and its neighbouring Howrah on Tuesday, as the agitators tried to make their way through barricades to march towards the West Bengal secretariat ‘Nabanna’. 

The protesters were attempting to reach ‘Nabanna’ to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the alleged rape-murder of a doctor at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital here earlier this month. Protesting “brutal” police action against “peaceful” protestors, the BJP called for a general strike on Wednesday. 

The ruling TMC denounced the decision, claiming it was aimed at creating chaos. Over 200 people were arrested in connection with the rally. Clashes were reported at MG Road, Hastings Road, and areas near the Princep Ghat alongside Santragachi and Howrah Maidan, in which some protesters as well as 29 police personnel were injured.

“Today we handled the situation well as we were well-prepared. Intelligence inputs helped us; otherwise, the situation could have been worse. In the state police area, we have arrested 94 people. We arrested 25 others yesterday,” ADG (Law and Order) told reporters in Nabanna. 

According to Kolkata Police sources, 126 members and supporters of Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj, one of the organizers of the rally, were arrested. Out of them, 33 were women. Police used batons, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse protesters who threw stones at the security forces and attempted to breach barricades blocking their way to the state secretariat.

"Why were we beaten by police? We did not break any law. We are holding a peaceful rally to demand justice for the deceased doctor. The Chief Minister should take responsibility and resign," said a woman protester. 

Police said they had to take action after the agitators breached barricades at some locations and “attacked” security personnel. Fifteen personnel of the Kolkata Police and 14 from the state police force were injured in the clashes. "We are used to tackling such unruly mobs, and our officers have handled the situation well. We have detained several people, and the law will take its course," a senior police officer of Kolkata Police said.

The call for March to Nabanna was separately given by an unregistered students’ body, Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj (West Bengal Students Community), and the Sangrami Joutha Mancha (Joint Platform of Struggle), an organization of state government employees who have been agitating for long, demanding their DA to be made at par with their Central government counterparts. 

Senior minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said the police have done a commendable job in controlling the crowd, without giving in to the provocations during the Nabanna Abhijan. “The police foiled their plot to get a body. That is why they called a strike tomorrow to cripple Bengal’s booming economy ahead of the Durga Puja festival,” she said.

Later in the day, police used tear gas and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse BJP leaders and supporters when they marched towards Kolkata Police headquarters Lalbazar, demanding the release of students arrested during the Nabanna Abhijan rally on Tuesday. 

The police action began after BJP supporters attempted to break police barricades to enter Lalbazar. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, who led the march, fell ill after being exposed to tear gas and subsequently left the scene. 

Earlier, a BJP procession led by Majumdar was stopped from advancing towards Lalbazar. In response, the BJP leader, along with local BJP leaders, sat in protest at the barricade around 4:30 pm, demanding that the police clarify their stance on the arrests and seeking the unconditional release of the students arrested during the Nabanna Abhijan. 

After their demonstration yielded no response from the Police Commissioner or other senior officers, BJP leaders and supporters attempted to break the barricades to enter Lalbazar. Police alleged that they have used force and arrested 94 protestors.

 “The state president has warned the Police Commissioner to explain their stand on the arrests and ensure the unconditional release of the Bengali students who were detained from various locations during the march to Nabanna,” a state BJP leader said.