West Bengal bandh: clashes break out between TMC and BJP, buses set on fire

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken a call for a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal on Wednesday following the death of two students, who were killed during an alleged police firing, when they were protesting over the appointment of school teachers. This incident had taken place last in Islampur area in North Dinajpur district.

Trinamool Congress party has made security arrangement and set up control rooms in several places, and deployed over 4,000 police personnel to ensure safety of the common people. Despite all these, at least two buses were set on fire by the supporters of the bandh. Shops, offices and business establishments were seen partly closed in some parts of Kolkata and West Bengal.

West Bengal State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee accused the BJP supporters of stalling development in the state by calling 12-hours dandh.

Chatterjee said, “the police will take strict action if anyone tried to enforce the strike. Our party workers have also advised to remain alert and monitor the situation closely. They were also instructed to not to respond to any provocation. All SPs and DMs have also been ordered to take action if the situation takes an ugly turn.”

Some clashes reportedly broke out between TMC and BJP supporters in West Midnapore, West Burdwan, South Dinajpur and North Dinajpur districts. BJP workers in support of the bandh clashed with the TMC workers who were opposing the bandh When rallies were taken out by the BJP in support of the bandh, came face to face with processions taken out by the TMC opposing it.

West Bengal: BJP MP Roopa Ganguly distributes leaflets in Kolkata, over the death 2 students in a clash with police in North Dinajpur; #visuals from Gariahat crossing. BJP has called for a 12-hour statewide bandh over the incident today pic.twitter.com/nuJ9C7j0v1

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018

“The crowd was later dispersed and the situation was brought under control. Senior minister and TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee told Indian Express, the situation was ‘completely under control’ and normal life was ‘not at all affected’.

A police official quoted by Indian Express as saying, “The BJP has been trying to foment trouble in some areas and instil a sense of fear among the people. But the situation is completely under control and normal life has not at all been affected. We are monitoring the situation.”

Also read: BJP leader Shankar Chakraborty arrested for inciting violence