Indus Valley Times

West Bengal, Aug 28 :  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday slammed the BJP for its 12-hour shutdown (Bengal Bandh). The CM, who has faced severe criticism for her handling of the case of alleged rape and murder of a doctor trainee at the RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata said that the bandh is another attempt to defame Bengal.

“We have dedicated this day to the RG Kar doctor. We want justice but BJP today called for a bandh. They don’t want justice, they are only trying to defame Bengal,” she said.

Making her stance clear, Mamata said that the TMC does not support the bandh, also adding that the rape cases in BJP-ruled states have not prompted the party to demand the resignations of the respective CMs.

“We don’t support this bandh….BJP never demanded the resignations of the CMs of UP, MP and even Manipur…We saw pictures from yesterday (Nabanna Abhiyan rally), I salute the police for handling the situation well.”

The chief minister has earlier today dedicated the foundation day of Trinamool Congress’s student wing Chhatra Parishad to the doctor trainee who was allegedly raped and murdered at the RG Kar Hospital.

“Today I dedicate Trinamool Chhatra Parishad Foundation Day to our sister, whom we mourned the tragic loss of at RG Kar Hospital a few days ago. And please, our heartfelt condolences to the family of the sister who was brutally tortured to death and seeking speedy justice, as well as to all the women of all ages across India who have been subjected to such inhumane acts. Sorry,” she said in a post shared on X.

Meanwhile, the BJP’s 12-hour shutdown (Bengal Bandh) to protest against the police action against demonstrators during a march to the state secretariat in West Bengal saw mixed reactions from the public with normal life being partially affected in some parts.

In several parts of the state, railway and road blockades affected public transport.

Kolkata saw a grim morning with less vehicles, even as markets and shops remained open as usual.

Schools and colleges remained open, while in most private offices, attendance was lesser with employees being asked to work from home.

BJP workers demonstrated at the Bongaon station in North 24 Parganas, Gocharan station in South 24 Parganas, and the Murshidabad station in support of the bandh.

At Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, BJP activists picketed on the road, disrupting traffic. BJP activists also demonstrated at the Bankura town bus stand.

In Alipurduar, BJP activists engaged in a scuffle with the police as they tried to block an arterial road, shouting slogans such as ‘dafa ek dabi ek, mukhyomantrir padatyag’ (single demand, the chief minister must resign).

Several BJP leaders including Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya, former MP Locket Chatterjee, and former BJP state president Rahul Sinha were detained by the police during the protests.

“Detaining people won’t change anything; it will only increase public participation in the protests. The people are angry and on the streets. The police may detain individuals, but they cannot suppress the idea,” Locket Chatterjee was reported as saying by Indian Express.

The demonstrations were also met with counter-protests by the TMC.

TMC and BJP workers came face to face at the Barrackpore station in North 24 Parganas and in Malda. The two groups were dispersed after the swift intervention of the police.

Meanwhile, a local BJP leader alleged that he was attacked by TMC workers while on the way to the residence of another BJP leader.

Making her stance clear, Mamata said that the TMC does not support the bandh, also adding that the rape cases in BJP-ruled states have not prompted the party to demand the resignations of the respective CMs.

IN PICS | BJP’s Bengal bandh to protest police action on ‘Nabanna Abhijan Rally protesters

BJP leader Priyangu Pandey claimed that his car was fired at by TMC workers in Bhatpara, located in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Pandey alleged that it was a conspiracy by the TMC and the police to “kill him.”

“Today I was going to our leader Arjun Singh’s residence…We moved some distance and the road was blocked by a jetting machine from Bhatpara Municipality. The moment our car stopped, around 50-60 people targeted the vehicle. 7 to 8 bombs were thrown at my vehicle and then 6-7 round firing was done…This is a joint conspiracy of TMC and the Police,” Pandey said.

“They planned my murder…The police supported and gave information…My security was withdrawn and then this incident happened,” he added.

“Priyangu Pandey is our party worker, he was coming here (Arjun Singh’s residence). Near Anglo-Indian staff quarters, a jetting machine was there. As his (Priyangu Pandey) vehicle came near, a bomb was hurled. After that, when the vehicle did not stop, bullet was fired. Driver was shot at,” BJP leader Arjun Singh said.

Two people were reportedly injured in the incident, including the driver of the vehicle.

Later today, police recovered empty bombshells from the spot where the BJP leader alleged that he was attacked.

The 12-hour shutdown, which began at 6 am, was announced by the BJP to protest the police action on ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ on Tuesday. The protest march to the secretariat, demanding the resignation of CM Mamata Banerjee over the rape and murder of a doctor trainee at Kolkata’s RG Kar hospital was organized by a newly formed students group called Chatra Samaj.

-ANI