WB: BJP calls for 12-hour bandh over students' killing
Train services were disrupted for a few minutes at some stations in West Bengal during a 12-hour bandh called by the BJP today to protest the killing of two students in a clash in North Dinajpur district, Railway officials said. No untoward incident was, however, reported during the blockades put up by bandh supporters at the stations, a police official said. Here's more.
Transport services were normal, train services affected for 5-10 minutes
Transport services were normal in Kolkata though bus drivers were seen wearing helmets. Bandh supporters had squatted on the tracks at Barasat, Krishnagar and some stations in Sealdah division for 5-10 minutes in the morning, but the blockade has been lifted, an Eastern Railway spokesman said. At present, train services in the Eastern Railway, including suburban services, are normal, he said.
Police personnel have been deployed to avoid any untoward incident
BJP workers are however staging blockades at Chengail, Andul, and Ramrajatala stations in Howrah-Kharagpur section of South Eastern Railway, affecting suburban train services in the section, SER Central PRO Sanjoy Ghosh said. A huge police contingent has been deployed to avoid any violence during the shutdown and no untoward incident has been reported in the metropolis since 6 am, a police official said.
Don't require Urdu, Sanskrit teachers; instead want Science teachers: Protesters
The BJP has called the bandh to protest against the death of two students in a clash with the police on September 20 during a demonstration over recruitment of teachers at Daribhita High School in Islampur area, the police said. The protesting students had said they didn't require Urdu and Sanskrit teachers and demanded that teachers be recruited for Science and other subjects.
Government employees asked to attend office on bandh day
In Islampur area, BJP supporters squatted on the road to stop traffic movement. Meanwhile, the state government issued a notification asking its employees to attend office on the bandh day. No holiday on the day before or after the Bangla Bandh will be declared. Even a half-holiday won't be sanctioned. Commercial establishments, private offices, and educational institutions were also asked to function normally.
