Bengal Bandh Today Following Police Action with Tear Gas and Water Cannons on Protesters
Protesters have demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a 12-hour bandh (strike) from 6 am to 6 pm in West Bengal today in response to police action against participants in a march to the state secretariat, 'Nabanna,' following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata.
Latest Updates: The BJP's call for a general strike comes after police used lathi-charge, water cannons, and tear gas on protesters attempting to reach 'Nabanna' on Tuesday.
The call for the 'Nabanna Abhijan' was initiated by an unregistered student body, 'Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj,' and a dissident state government employees' group, 'Sangrami Joutha Mancha.' The ruling Trinamool Congress has alleged that the protest is backed by the BJP.
Protesters have been demanding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation following the rape and murder incident involving a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed that over 160 protesters, including 17 women, were injured in the police action. Meanwhile, the police reported that several officers were also hurt in the clashes.
Adhikari, who is the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, has urged Governor CV Ananda Bose to consider "imposing President's Rule" in the state.
Also Read:Nabanna Protest in Detail
The West Bengal government, however, has urged citizens not to participate in the BJP's bandh. "The government will not permit any bandh on Wednesday. We appeal to people not to join it. All necessary measures will be taken to ensure normalcy," said Alapan Bandopadhyay, Chief Advisor to Chief Minister Banerjee.