Chaos ensued in many parts of West Bengal on Wednesday after the 12-hour bandh called by the opposition BJP triggered violence and disrupted normal life. The 'Bangla Bandh', which began at 6 am, was called by the BJP in protest against police action on participants of 'Nabanna Abhijan' on Tuesday.
Though the general strike was partial in the state, normal life was hit after rail and public transport services faced disruptions. The BJP and TMC workers clashed in many places, with the former accusing the ruling party of unleashing violence.
The usual bustle was missing in Kolkata as many private vehicles kept off the roads. A smaller number of buses and auto-rickshaws plied on Wednesday morning, with some bus drivers seen wearing helmets in Cooch Behar and Kolkata to protect themselves.
Though schools and colleges were open, students opted to stay at home. In many private offices, attendance was low with employees asked to work from home. However, attendance was as usual in government offices.
The state government also issued a notification stating that all government offices would remain open and all employees, except those facing exigencies or are on leave, would have to report for duty on August 28 or face show cause for their unauthorised absence.
BJP MLA says he was fired at
Senior BJP leader Priyangu Pandey on Wednesday claimed that people belonging to TMC attacked and fired on his car in the Bharpara area of North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. He alleged that bombs were thrown at his car and then 6-7 rounds were fired at his vehicle.
Pandey said he was en route to Arjun Singh's residence when a jetting machine from Bhatpara Municipality stopped his vehicle. "The moment our car stopped, around 50-60 people targeted the vehicle. Bombs were hurled at my car before the 6-7 round firing happened. This is a joint conspiracy of TMC and the police. They planned my murder. The police supported and gave them information. The incident happened after my security was withdrawn," he said.
BJP demonstrations, rail disruptions
The workers of BJP held demonstrations in many places, including Sealdah, Shyambazar, Burrabazar and Wipro. Senior leaders Rupa Ganguly and Locket Chatterjee were seen taking part in the demonstrations. Chatterjee was later detained by the Kolkata police.
The BJP workers were also seen disrupting rail traffic at 49 places, including Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Murshidabad and Baharampur. Local train services, including Bandel-Howrah local, were also disrupted at Hooghly station. Local media also reported instances of violence between TMC and BJP workers in various places, including Balurghat and Malda.
While the blockades were lifted at most places, it was continuing in nine stations, mostly in the Sealdah South section, an Eastern Railway official told PTI.
TMC and BJP activists clashed in Malda, Barrackpore and Alipurduar over the blocking of a road. Police intervened to disperse the two groups.
