After bringing out a convoy to the state secretariat, Nabanna, in protest against the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the BJP has called for a 12-hour shutdown in West Bengal on Tuesday to pressure the police into not killing more protesters.
The BJP state president, Sukanta Majumdar, says the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government had a selective hearing and was silent regarding the issues and demands of the people; the killed doctor seeking justice. Majumdar informed that in response to peaceful protest, the police used teargas shells, water cannons, and batons to prevent the demonstration from marching towards Nabanna.
The clashes were seen as the police attempted to stop the protest march that had set itself on the streets. While some of the protesters were on the rampage, throwing stones at the cops, the police claimed that no permission was given for the rally.
The TMC has accused the BJP of planning to cause trouble and turn violent during the march, while the Kolkata Police has turned Nabanna into a fortified zone, mobilised approximately 6,000 personnel, and deployed drones for surveillance purposes.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said four student activists involved in the protest plan have reportedly been ‘missing’ since midnight, making people suspect something was wrong. The police, on the other hand, have said that the students had planned to precipitate massive violence and were therefore involved in a plot, thereby being arrested.
The Trinamool has blamed the BJP for patronising the protest, stating that it is a “BJP-ABVP plot to create disturbance,” an act of “vulture politics. ” The party has placed videos which are yet to be authenticated showing that there is a conspiracy to create violence and death as was in Nandigram.
As the political unrest scenario unfolds, the state gears up for the BJP’s 12-hour bandh, a fresh round of protests and clashes, and concerns about disruption of day-to-day activities.
