Nabanna Abhijan rally: 200 arrested after police crackdown, BJP calls for bandh
- In Reports
- 10:59 PM, Aug 27, 2024
- Myind Staff
Clashes broke out between police and protesters in various parts of Kolkata and Howrah on Tuesday as demonstrators attempted to breach barricades during the Nabanna Abhijan rally, aiming to march towards the West Bengal secretariat.
Kolkata police used water cannons to disperse protesters at Santragachi in Howrah during the march. The protestors also dragged away barricades, prompting police to respond with lathi charges and tear gas.
The rally was organised in response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. It began with people gathering at Santragachi before moving from College Square in Kolkata. The protesters aimed to reach the West Bengal secretariat to demand Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation over the alleged rape-murder of the doctor earlier this month.
The rally was organised by the newly formed student body, Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj, to protest against the Kolkata rape and murder case. They were supported by members of Sangrami Joutha Mancha, a group of state government employees advocating for their Dearness Allowance (DA) to be aligned with that of Central government employees.
The rally proceeded despite the state police calling it “illegal” and “unauthorised” due to concerns about potential violence and public disorder.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose urged the state government to respect peaceful student protests and refrain from suppressing them, emphasising the Supreme Court's stance on upholding democratic freedoms.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra criticised the Nabanna Abhijan protest march, referring to the protesters as "goons" who provoked the police response.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged the police commissioner to explain the recent arrests and to ensure the unconditional release of students detained during the march to Nabanna. In protest against the police actions during the demonstration, the BJP has called for a general strike on Wednesday, 28th August.
Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress has condemned the BJP's decision to organise the strike, accusing them of attempting to create chaos.
Over 200 people were arrested by the police in connection with the rally. Clashes occurred at MG Road, Hastings Road, Princep Ghat, Santragachi, and Howrah Maidan, resulting in injuries to several protesters and 29 police personnel.
Image source: Hindustan Times
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