Top News
Next Story
Newszop

BJP calls for Bengal Bandh over police 'brutality'; TMC claims foul play

Send Push
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a 12-hour general strike in West Bengal on Wednesday to protest against the police action on participants of the march to the state secretariat, Nabbana, on Tuesday.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused the BJP of exploiting the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor to create disturbances in the state. The West Bengal government assured that normal life will not be disrupted during the strike, which is set to begin at 6 am.

During the march to Nabanna, the police used batons, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the crowd. The protesters were demanding the resignation of chief minister Mamata Banerjee following the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor in a state-run hospital earlier this month.

Sukanta Majumdar, the BJP state president and union minister, said, "We are forced to give the dawn-to-dusk strike call for a general strike as this autocratic regime is turning a deaf ear to the voices of people, the demand for justice for the deceased doctor sister. Instead of justice, Mamata Banerjee's police are turning on the peace-loving people of the state, who only wanted a safe and secure environment for women."

The call for the march to Nabanna was separately given by an unregistered students' body, Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj (West Bengal Students Community), and the Sangrami Joutha Mancha (Joint Platform of Struggle), an organisation of state government employees demanding their Dearness Allowance (DA) to be at par with their Central government counterparts.

Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh accused the BJP of backing the Chhatra Samaj-sponsored Nabanna Abhijan and using it to create disturbances in the state.

The West Bengal government has urged people not to participate in the strike and has assured that all steps will be taken to ensure normal life continues.

Alapan Bandopadhyay, chief advisor to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, said, "The West Bengal government will not allow any bandh on Wednesday. We urge the people not to participate in it. The state government will take all steps to keep normal life going. Keep shops, marketplaces, and shopping malls open."

The BJP has also announced additional agitational programs, including a sit-in at Esplanade in Kolkata on August 29, gheraoing the office of the state Women's Commission on August 30, and a chakka jam on September 6. The party has also set up a helpline to provide legal assistance to the arrested participants of the Nabanna Abhijan.
Loving Newspoint? Download the app now