Nabanna Abhijan LIVE: Protesters, cops clash for hours; BJP calls for 12hr bandh tomorrow

Accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of shielding those involved in the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, the BJP on Tuesday called her a “dictator” and demanded her resignation to ensure a fair probe into the matter.

The BJP has also demanded that the CBI conduct a polygraph test on Mamata and Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goel.

The BJP condemned the incident of lathi-charge by the West Bengal Police on the protesters.

“Whatever is happening in West Bengal is worrisome. It’s akin to tearing the Constitution to shreds,” BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia told a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

He accused Mamata of shielding those involved in the rape and murder case, and demanded that she immediately resign as the chief minister so that a fair probe into the case can take place.

“Truth must come out. The CBI is investigating the case. It should conduct a polygraph test on Mamata Banerjee and the police commissioner to ascertain the truth,” he added.

Fresh clashes broke out between police and protestors on GT Road in Howrah Maidan area when they tried to march towards the state secretariat as a part of their Nabanna Abhijaan.

Police lathi-charged and used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protestors who threw stones and bricks at the security forces and attempted to topple barricades blocking their way.

A policeman, who identified himself as the in-charge of Chanditala police station in Howrah Police Commissionerate, was injured in the clash.

A similar situation unfolded in Hastings and MG Road area, where protestors threw stones at police, who were seen chasing them away.

“Why were we beaten by police? We did not break any laws. We are holding a peaceful rally to demand justice for the deceased doctor. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should take responsibility and resign,” said a woman protester.

Police said they began lathi-charging and tear gassing after the protesters breached barricades at some locations and attacked security personnel.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari has alleged that police resorted to “brutal repression” on the peaceful participants of Nabanna Abhijan rally and threatened to stall West Bengal if the “brutalities” by the state administration are not stopped.

“Police are using water cannon on peaceful protesters at Santragachi, used tear gas shells on the students at Howrah bridge, lathi-charged them at College Street. Please stop these brutalities immediately,” the senior BJP leader told reporters.

Adhikari said, “If the police repression is not stopped immediately, we (BJP) will stall West Bengal tomorrow.”

West Bengal Police have rejected BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s claim that four student activists were “missing”, saying that they were arrested for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy of murder and attempted murder case.

Without taking any name, the police said the “missing” allegation was false and claimed that the four were reportedly planning to “orchestrate large-scale violence” during Nabanna Abhijan.

Earlier in the day, the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly alleged that four student activists of the saffron party, who were scheduled to arrive at Howrah station, had gone missing from midnight.

“A certain political leader has been trying to create a false narrative about four students who have apparently been missing since last night. The truth is, nobody is missing. The four were planning to orchestrate large-scale violence during the Nabanna Abhijan today and were involved in a conspiracy of murder and attempted murder. They have been arrested in the interest of public safety and security, and their families have been informed,” Bengal Police posted on X.

Later, speaking to the media, Howrah Police Commissioner Praveen Kumar Tripathi said the four were arrested under the BNSS clause 172 in “Preventive Action of the Police” because they were involved in a conspiracy.

“They were arrested under preventive actions because they were conspiring,” Tripathi said.

The BJP leader later said that the families of the students had moved Calcutta High Court and were moving a case against the Bengal Police, particularly against Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, and Howrah CP Praveen Tripathi.

“Police did not inform the family. The family has already moved the Calcutta High Court and the lawyer will move the case mainly against Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, Howrah CP Praveen Tripathi. People (of Bengal) are watching this,” he said.

Adhikari also alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government has spent Rs 3-4 crore for security arrangements despite the rally was not organised by any political party.

“The Bengal government has spent Rs 3-4 crore to arrange everything. No political party was involved in this rally. All parties have said that. Despite that they (state government) have taken so much effort to make such an elaborate arrangement,” he said.