BJP calls for 12-hour 'Bengal bandh' demanding CM Mamata's resignation and protesting police actions
PTC News Desk: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal, set to take place from 6 am to 6 pm tomorrow, to protest against the police action taken against demonstrators who were marching towards the state secretariat, Nabanna. The protest is in response to the recent rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Sukanta Majumdar, the President of the Bengal BJP, has urged residents to participate in the general strike, condemning the incident as a serious threat to public safety and calling for immediate action from state authorities.
The protest, known as 'Nabanna Abhiyan,' began at College Square in Kolkata and aimed to reach Nabanna, which houses the chief minister's office. The demonstration turned violent when protesters broke through police barricades at Santragachi in Howrah, leading to clashes with the police. In response, the Kolkata Police employed lathi charges, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse the crowd. The police had fortified the area around Nabanna, blocking all roads leading to it.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of failing to address the issue effectively. He compared her administration to that of Idi Amin, alleging that it has protected the perpetrators of the crime, destroyed evidence, and suppressed the truth. He added that the government’s actions have been reprimanded by the Supreme Court and High Court.
Amit Malviya, head of BJP’s IT Cell, also criticised Mamata Banerjee, alleging that her government is attempting to prevent the students' movement by placing large containers on the roads to block access to Nabanna. Malviya questioned whether Banerjee feared the protestors, suggesting that she imagined them advancing in tanks rather than seeking justice through peaceful means.
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- With inputs from agencies
