'Bengal Bandh' begins: Police arrests protesting BJP workers, counter-action by TMC launched

The 12-hour Bengal Bandh called by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal began at 6 am on Wednesday (August 28).

The West Bengal police and BJP and ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party’s workers have been active on the streets trying to enforce or disrupt the Bengal Bandh.

The 12-hour Bangla Bandh, a call given by the BJP, has begun in West Bengal.

Restrictions in the state will remain in place from 6 am until 6 pm, to protest police action on protesters during the Nabanna Abhijan on August 27. #BanglaBandh #WestBengal #Bandh pic.twitter.com/E3OFeoH2s5

— Vani Mehrotra (@vani_mehrotra) August 28, 2024

Why is the Bandh happening?

After a large-scale violence during the students’ ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ march in Kolkata and adjacent Howrah that disrupted the calls for justice for the RG Kar hospital victim on Tuesday afternoon, the BJP condemned the police’s action on protesters and called for a 12-hour Bengal bandh.

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Protesters responded with continuous pelting of stones and glass bottles at the police at several locations where their progress was hindered.

The police resorted to large-scale lathi-charge, used water cannons, and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the aggressive crowd that had gathered from multiple converging points at Nabanna.

According to reports, fifteen personnel of the Kolkata Police and 14 from the state police force were injured in the clashes. Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari alleged that over 160 protesters, including 17 women, suffered injuries in the police action.

Latest developments in West Bengal

In preparation for the Bandh, Kolkata state bus drivers were seen sporting helmets while driving. A bus driver told ANI that the helmets had been provided by the police for their safety. With both the parties involved, the fear of violence and attacks exists for those following the Bandh, as well as those refusing to adhere to it.

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#WATCH | BJP's 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh': Drivers of Government bus in Howrah seen wearing helmets

A bus driver says, "Today is bandh, so we are wearing helmets..." pic.twitter.com/b5GHHD4Ocq

— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024

The state police detained protesting BJP workers in Alipurduar. A video of the incident shows people waving BJP party flags and sloganeering being rounded up by the police and being filled into a bus.

Elsewhere in the North 24 Parganas district, TMC workers protested against the Bengal Bandh, according to ANI. The ruling party’s workers also visited shops in the airport area, urging people not to observe the Bandh and let daily services continue for common people.

With inputs from agencies