West Bengal bandh call today over 'Nabanna Abhijan' clashes
The Bharatiya Janata Party has declared a 12-hour statewide strike in West Bengal on Wednesday, following the police's use of force against protesters a day before. Tuesday's protest was organized by an unregistered student body, Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj, and a dissident state government employees' platform, Sangrami Joutha Mancha. The demonstrators were demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the Kolkata rape and murder case.
Why does this story matter?
The protests erupted after the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident, involving a 31-year-old doctor on August 9, has sparked nationwide outrage. Junior doctors across the country are refusing to see non-emergency patients, demanding justice for the victim and enhanced safety measures for women in hospitals.
Police use force to disperse protesters
The police resorted to lathi-charge, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse the crowd attempting to reach the state secretariat "Nabanna" yesterday. Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed that more than 160 protesters, including 17 women, were injured due to the police's actions. Meanwhile, the police reported that several cops also sustained injuries. Adhikari has called on Governor CV Ananda Bose to "impose President's Rule" in Bengal and warned that the BJP would "bring the entire state to a halt."
West Bengal government urges public to ignore BJP's strike
Separately, the Bengal government urged citizens not to participate in the BJP's strike. Alapan Bandopadhyay, the chief advisor to Banerjee, stated that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure normal life remains unaffected. He confirmed that transport services would continue as usual. Essential services such as medical care, drinking water, public transport, rail services, and electricity were expected to operate normally. The 12-hour bandh is expected to end at 6pm on Wednesday.
Police force deployed
On Tuesday, ahead of the protests, police had deployed additional forces across the city. A total of 19 locations were identified for barricading, and approximately 26 Deputy Commissioners of Police were stationed at various points in the state capital. The government also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita around Nabanna, limiting gatherings of five or more people.
