In a stinging attack on the BJP a day after its protest march to the West Bengal secretariat saw clashes and violence, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that BJP brought goons armed with bombs from outside the state for the 'Nabanna Chalo' rally.
"BJP brought in goons armed with bombs from outside Bengal for its September 13 rally," PTI quoted Banerjee as saying during an administrative meeting.
"Many police personnel were brutally attacked by the participants of that rally...Police could have opened fire, but our administration showed maximum restraint," she said.
BJP workers clashed with police who retaliated with water cannons and tear gas shells to disperse them during the party's 'Nabanna Chalo' rally in Kolkata on Tuesday. The BJP had launched a protest march against the ruling Trinamool Congress' alleged corrupt practises.
Several police officers and BJP leaders, including Mina Devi Purohit and Swapan Dasgupta, were reportedly injured in the chaos, PTI reported.
BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar and Leader of Opposition in Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari were among a host of leaders detained during the march.
The TMC supremo said BJP workers torched properties and instilled fear among people.
"We have nothing against democratic and peaceful protests. But, the BJP and its supporters resorted to violence, vandalism and arson. We won't allow this. Arrests are being made, and law will take its own course," Mamata said.
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Addressing a press conference, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said Bengal had become "lawless" and "bankrupt" under Mamata Banerjee and accused her of inflicting "police torture" on its members to suppress their voice.
"She has now left the Left behind in inflicting atrocities and brutalities on the BJP," Prasad said.
Violent protesters clashed with the police in Howrah, Kolkata's Lalbazar and MG Road areas. In Lalbazar, which houses the Kolkata Police Headquarters, a police vehicle was set on fire.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Debajit Chattopadhyay was chased and assaulted with sticks by some people in the Bowbazar area during the BJP's rally.
Chattopadhyay suffered multiple fractures and is undergoing treatment at a hospital, PTI reported.
On Wednesday, four people were arrested for allegedly assaulting the police officer and setting the police vehicle on fire, PTI reported.
They have been booked under sections dealing with attempt to murder, destruction of government property and preventing public servant from performing duty.
The Calcutta High Court has sought a report from West Bengal Home Secretary by September 19 over the chaos during BJP's 'Nabanna Chalo' march. The HC also directed the police not to "illegally" detain any person and also ensure that there was no damage to public property.