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PremiumBengal Bandh Highlights: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led 12-hour-long Bandh came into action from 6 am today. The BJP West Bengal unit called for the strike in response to the chaos that gripped the streets of Kolkata amid Nabanna Abhijan protest rally on Tuesday. The saffron party is protesting the police administration's strict action against the protesters on Tuesday.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumder said the bandh was called in opposition to the "violence on the student agitation" during the protest march.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee chief advisor Alapan Bandopadhyay said, "The government will not allow any bandh on Wednesday. We urge people not to participate in it. All steps shall be taken to ensure that normal life is unaffected." Transport services will remain operational, and shops, marketplaces and other business establishments have been asked to remain open, the chief advisor said.
Kolkata police on Tuesday used water cannons to disperse protestors at Santragachi in Howrah during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' march, as they climbed onto and broke through police barricades and clashed with officers.
The protestors also dragged away barricades, prompting police to respond with lathi charges and tear gas.
The rally, which was organized in response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, started with people assembling at Santragachi before moving from College Square in Kolkata.
In preparation for the protest, police had established heavy security around the West Bengal state secretariat.
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