BJP Declares 12-Hour Bengal Bandh to Protest Police Actions

BJP announces a 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' on August 28 to protest against police crackdown during the Nabanna Abhijan march. BJP leader Agnimitra Paul criticizes CM Mamata Banerjee's administration, alleging misuse of police force. TMC counters, calling BJP's protests chaotic and disruptive to public order.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has organized a 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' on Wednesday, August 28. The protest aims to condemn the police action during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' march to the state secretariat on Tuesday.

BJP leader Agnimitra Paul has criticized the Bengal government, calling the police and the Mamata Banerjee-led administration 'spineless' during her participation in the Bandh. Paul also accused the police of violating Supreme Court orders.

Paul alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is using police force to stifle student agitation. She argued that if Banerjee wasn't scared, she wouldn't resort to lathi charge and tear gas. Paul stated that the administration's actions are an insult to the people who elected her.

Paul further claimed, 'They have all become spineless. Police have invalidated the orders of the Supreme Court. They used water cannons mixed with chemicals on the protestors. They are unable to provide safety to women of the state and when women protest, they use force to disperse them. We will continue to protest.'

Interestingly, government bus drivers and conductors in Kolkata have been mandated to wear helmets during the Bandh for safety reasons. A bus driver speaking to ANI confirmed, 'Today is bandh, so we are wearing helmets.'

The BJP's Bandh follows the police's use of lathi charges and tear gas on protestors during the 'Nabanna Abhiyan' on Tuesday. Protestors began their march from College Square in Kolkata amid tightened security around the West Bengal state secretariat.

During the protest, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds who tried climbing atop police barricades in Howrah's Santragachi area. This led to clashes and chaos, with protestors dismantling barricades and the police retaliating with force.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) condemned BJP's actions on social media, describing them as violent and disruptive. TMC branded the 'Nabanna Abhiyan' a BJP conspiracy and a 'FATAL ATTACK on Bengal.'

This series of events follows the shocking rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College, which has triggered national outrage and multiple protests demanding justice.

(With inputs from agencies.)