BJP Leader Rupa Gangopadhyay Arrested During Protest for Slain Student

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, October 3, 2024, Kolkata: BJP leader Rupa Gangopadhyay was arrested by police at Lalbazar around 10 AM on Thursday while protesting for the arrest of those responsible for the death of a local student.

Gangopadhyay had initiated a sit-in protest late Wednesday night in response to the tragic death of a ninth-grade student, who was killed in a road accident in Bansdroni. The student was struck by a JCB machine while on his way to a coaching center. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, he was pronounced dead upon arrival, sparking outrage and protests among local residents.

Witnesses reported that the accident occurred in Ward No. 113 of the Kolkata Municipality, where road repair work had been underway for several days. The JCB machine, which was part of this work, was left on site when the incident occurred.

In the aftermath of the accident, locals blocked the road to express their anger over the situation. Tensions escalated as both Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters clashed during the protests.

Gangopadhyay, determined to seek justice, vowed to continue her protest until the accused were arrested. However, her protest was cut short when police intervened and took her into custody, subsequently transporting her to Lalbazar.

The incident has drawn significant media attention, and the BJP plans to outline further actions in response to the situation. Community leaders continue to call for accountability and improved safety measures in the area.

PTI : BJP leader Rupa Ganguly was "detained" on Thursday for allegedly obstructing work at a police station in Kolkata by holding a demonstration there demanding the release of five people arrested on the charge of manhandling the force, a senior official said. 

Locals in the Bansdroni area of the southern suburbs of the city held protests and gheraoed police officers following the death of a class 9 student under the wheels of a payloader on Wednesday morning. 

"She (Ganguly) was demanding the release of five persons arrested for manhandling the police yesterday," Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma said. 

Verma was talking to reporters while visiting several prominent Durga Puja marquees to assess security arrangements. Ganguly, a former Rajya Sabha MP and actor, was "detained" after the registration of a case against her for alleged obstruction to police work when she was demonstrating in front of Bansdroni police station. 

Verma stated that Ganguly was informed that those five people were arrested on specific charges and that courts can be approached to seek legal remedy.