Clashes in Siliguri: DYFI Protests Against Corruption and Unemployment

DYFI members protested in Siliguri against state corruption and unemployment, leading to a police crackdown. Allegations arose of excessive force, including lathi charges and the arrest of protestors. Despite the confrontation, police stated the situation was under control. The protest echoes earlier dissent against the TMC government.

In Siliguri, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) staged a protest march towards the Uttarkanya Mini Secretariat on Friday evening, citing deep-seated corruption and joblessness in the state. As tensions escalated, police set up barricades and deployed water cannons, tear gas, and lathi charges to disperse the crowd.

Despite these measures, protester Ratna Choubey described the march as peaceful, condemning the forceful police tactics. "Male police personnel assaulted women protesters," Choubey alleged, highlighting the arrest of DYFI's Minakshi. The protest centered around grievances about unemployment and corruption, with police pre-informed but still intercepting activists.

Concerns were also raised about the possible closure of local tea gardens, and the influence of corporations in denying fair wages to laborers. Meanwhile, Rakesh Singh, DCP of Siliguri Metropolitan Police, assured that order has been restored and usual traffic movement will resume promptly. The protest mirrors a recent opposition movement by BJP members in Kolkata against a bill allowing women to work in bars, targeting the policies of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

(With inputs from agencies.)