Nabanna Abhijan: Stone-Pelting, Tear Gas, Water Cannon — And TMC-BJP War Of Words

Nabanna Abhiyan rally: The 'Nabanna Abhijan' protest in Kolkata turned violent as protesters set police vehicles on fire and hurled stones at cops. They

Nabanna Abhijan: Protesters clash with police in Howrah during the protest march to the West Bengal secretariat

Source : PTI

Nabanna Abhijan Rally: The 'Nabanna Abhijan' protest in Kolkata turned violent as the protesters clashed with police. Nabanna is the state secretariat of the West Bengal government. The protest turned violent and the police had to resort to lathi charge and firing water cannons to disperse the protesters. 

#WATCH | West Bengal: Police use water cannons to disperse protestors near Howrah Bridge, as they continue to agitate over RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case. pic.twitter.com/IQfgcQX41K

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2024

The protesters could be seen hurling stones at the police as they detained several of those who participated in the rally. The Trinamool Congress said: "Make no mistake, this isn't a protest for justice, it's chaos orchestrated by the BJP. Hired goons are running amok, smashing barricades, and attacking on-duty Police officers. This is a deliberate plot to incite unrest and destabilise Bengal!"

Make no mistake, this isn't a protest for justice, it's chaos orchestrated by @BJP4India – hired goons running amok, smashing barricades and attacking on-duty Police officers.

This is a deliberate plot to incite unrest and destabilise Bengal!#NabannaAbhijan #Nabanna pic.twitter.com/Gg3RQV7j0l

— Kandi'erGorboMamata (@KandierGorboMB) August 27, 2024

The BJP alleged that the the Mamata Banerjee's government was an oppressive regime that was suppressing students's voices.

Several police personnel as well as protesters were injured in the violence that ensued after the protesters broke through the barriers set up by the cops on the way to Nabanna. Around 126 people were arrested during the protest march to the state secretariat on Tuesday afternoon. 

Howrah Turns Battleground

Howrah city limits resembled nothing short of a battleground as protesters heading from Kolkata pulled down the barricades set up by the police. At least two motorbikes of the Kolkata Police were set on fire and several cars of the department were vandalised in the Babughat area.

Protesters clashed with the police as the law & order personnel tried to prevent them from marching on to Nabanna. Several areas of Kolkata, such as those around Babu Ghat, Eden Gardens, Santragachhi, and Netaji Indoor Stadium, remained tense as violence broke out. 

Several protesters were detained by the police during the protests. The BJP, in turn, led a protest rally to Lal Bazar, the Kolkata Police's headquarters, demanding their release.

TMC, BJP Trade Blames Over 'Nabanna Abhijan'

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari blamed the Mamata Banerjee-led government for the violence. He said: “The situation is very delicate. More than one lakh students and common people have assembled at three places. They have only one demand that the CM should step down from her post. However, 15,000-20,000 policemen have been deployed to stop them. Both protesters and policemen have been injured in the clashes. State government is responsible for this.” 

He also alleged that the TMC brought in its cadres in police garb to attack the 'Nabanna Abhijan' protesters. He said that the BJP was assisting protesters and had even hospitalised many of the injured.

TMC leader Kunal Ghosh hit back saying that the anarchy that reigned Kolkata and Howrah's streets on Tuesday was orchestrated from Delhi. "Today's anarchy was controlled by Delhi. This is a big conspiracy. This is not a campaign against Nabanna; it is a campaign for anti-socials." 

Kunal Ghosh said that the protest rally did not have the permission of the government and the state cannot allow anyone to walk into the secretariat as they pleased.

The BJP, meanwhile, called on the public to observe a 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' from 6AM to 6 PM on Wednesday. The government, however, cited a Bombay High Court Order on bandhs and said that the BJP's call for 'Bengal Bandh' did not have any validity. It also asked all government employees to report to work as usual and urged the public to not heed the "BJP's attempt to create chaos in the state".

BJP national president JP Nadda alleged police highhandedness in Kolkata. "In Didi's West Bengal, to help rapists and criminals is valued but it's a crime to speak for women's safety," he said. The TMC hit back by saying that the police showed restraint and endured the "ruthless attacks" to maintain peace. 

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— Kunal Ghosh (@KunalGhoshAgain) August 27, 2024