The BJP sponsored 12-hour bandh protesting the death of two youths at Islampur in North Dinajpore had had virtually no effect in Kolkata but reports of sporadic clashes between BJP and TMC supporters were reported from different parts of the state.
The Calcutta High Court directs the West Bengal government to ensure that normal life is not hit in the state during the 12-hour bandh called by the Vinoth Bjp
Fearing legal problems West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh withdraws state wide bandh two hours before schedule at 4pm
During start of bandh In Kolkata, a BJP rally was taken out from Jorabagan area. BJP supporters were seen pleading shop owners to put their shutters down and warning vehicles which were plying. In Kolkata, bus drivers were seen driving with helmets on their heads.
At Bidhan Sarani area in north Kolkata, TMC supporters had taken out a rally right behind a BJP rally and as BJP supporters tried to stop plying buses they got into an altercation with TMC supporters.
Three state-run buses were set on fire and stones were pelted at vehicles in Islampur where the two students were killed. Fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot to douse flames.
A Howrah-bound state bus fron Behala was vandalized by BJP supporters at Remount Road Diamond Harbour Road crossing at 1 pm.
Clashes between BJP and TMC supporters were reported from Mecheda in East Midnapore, Adra in Purulia and Dhupguri in Jalpaiguri district. Buses have been vandalised in Cooch Behar, Howrah and Kharagur allegedly by bandh supporters.
The state government had said they would deal strictly with any forceful attempts to shut down business houses. Bandh supporters tried to block rail at different stations, but police quickly removed agitators.
State transport department has made arrangements so that commuters are not inconvenienced. As against the normal number of 2200 buses across the state, transport department has ensured that there are 2600 state buses on road.
Many buses have also been kept as standby. Trams would be about 70 in number as against 30 which ply on a normal day and similarly there would be 50 ferries instead of 30 on waterways.
About 4000 officials of Kolkata Police have been deployed at different parts of Kolkata under the leadership of 21 deputy commissioners and 70 assistant commissioners of Kolkata Police. About 50 mobile police vans have been deployed and 427 police pickets have been put up.
Roopa Ganguly who had led a rally in south Kolkata alleged that the state government was out to foil the bandh. “Buses are plying, with four to six passengers. The state government knows that its police have killed innocent children and that is why they want to show that bandh is not successful,” she said.
In Social media persons from Tamilnadu questioned BJP leadership for 2 persons killing in West bengal BJP is taking bandh like that what action TN BJP had taken when 13 persons been killed at Tutircorin during their protest against Sterlite plant .
