Kolkata: A day after the large-scale violence on the streets of Kolkata and Howrah marred the cries for justice for the RG Kar hospital victim on Tuesday afternoon, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a 12-hour shutdown in West Bengal today.
The violence, that lasted for nearly four hours, led to several injuries on both sides with senior police officers and women protestors among those who were hurt. The police said that more than 200 have been arrested in connection with the violence across the state.
During the violent protests on Tuesday, agitators took to incessant pelting of stones and glass bottles on the police at several spots where their progress was stopped.
Why BJP has called for shut down in West Bengal today?
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari alleged that over 160 protesters, including 17 women, suffered injuries in the police action. Condemning the police action on protesters, West Bengal party chief Sukanta Majumdar called for a 12-hour Bengal bandh today. Adhikari also urged Governor CV Ananda Bose to “impose President’s Rule” in the state.
The ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ call on Tuesday was given by an unregistered student body ‘Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj’ and a dissident state government employees’ platform ‘Sangrami Joutha Mancha’ demanding the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation over the alleged rape-murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital on August 9.
Bengal government urges people not to respond to the Bandh call
The West Bengal government has urged the people not to respond to BJP’s 6am–6pm general strike. “The government will not allow any bandh on Wednesday. We urge people not to participate in it. All steps shall be taken to ensure that normal life is unaffected,” said Alapan Bandopadhyay, the chief advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
What’s open & what’s closed in Bengal today?
While the opposition party BJP has called the business and traders bodies to remain shut, the West Bengal government has assured people that the Bandh call will have minimal effect.
Schools, colleges, other education institutes will remain open as there has not been any official announcement from the state education department regarding holiday.
Government offices will also remain open and the employees have been warned against taking leaves.
