There were reports of violence and tension in various parts of the state during the ‘Bengal Bandh’ called by the BJP in West Bengal on Wednesday. Clashes broke out between the police and BJP supporters at several places, due to which the police had to resort to lathicharge and also fired tear gas shells.
At Mankundu station in Hooghly district, bandh supporters staged a protest on the railway track, blocking trains on both up and down lines. When police tried to remove the protesters, the situation went out of control. Police used lathicharge and tear gas to control the crowd.
30 people arrested in Cooch Behar
Violence broke out at several places during the shutdown in Cooch Behar. Police said that a total of 30 people were arrested till 10 am, including Tufanganj MLA Malti Rabha Roy and Cooch Behar South MLA Nikhilranjan Dey. Both these MLAs were first detained and later arrested.
Clash between BJP-Trinamool in South Dinajpur
A dispute broke out between BJP and Trinamool workers in the Buniadpur municipal area of South Dinajpur. There was a scuffle between the supporters of the two parties, in which a BJP worker suffered serious head injuries in the Trinamool attack.
Train services disrupted in Howrah, Bandel and other places
Howrah-Bandel local train was also stopped at Howrah station. BJP workers demonstrated by lying on the railway track. Similarly, BJP workers also occupied the railway track at several stations in Murshidabad, due to which train services were affected.
Violent clashes also took place between BJP and police during the bandh in Ghatal and Bhatpara of West Midnapore. BJP accused the police of using force without any reason. During this, firing was also reported in Bhatpara, in which one person was injured.
Massive demonstrations were held in support and opposition of the bandh in various districts of the state such as Asansol, Malda, Cooch Behar and East Medinipur. Protests were held by stopping buses and other vehicles at many places.
This ‘Bengal Bandh’ by BJP in Bengal created tension in many parts of the state. Till the time of writing the news, the situation has come under control due to strict police action at many places, while tension persists at some places.