Bengal is in turmoil in BJP's strike in West Bengal

The BJP on Wednesday called for a bandh (hartal) across West Bengal, alleging 'police terror' at the state secretariat Navanna campaign of the 'West Bengal Chhatra Samaj' on Tuesday demanding justice for the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata.

The hartal is scheduled to be observed across West Bengal for 12 hours from 6 am to 6 pm local time.

BGP workers have taken to the streets in different areas of the state including Kolkata to make the bandh successful. Since then, various BJP workers have clashed with workers of the state's ruling Trinamool Congress, according to Indian media reports.

At various places, BJP workers are trying to make the bandh successful by blocking roads and railways. The police are also active in thwarting their efforts. Anandabazar newspaper reports that the police have arrested at least 30 people including two MLAs after vandalizing a bus in Cooch Behar.

As the grassroots workers also took a position on the road, the BJP workers grumbled, argued, fought and clashed with them. BJP alleged that one of its workers was injured in firing by Trinamool workers in Bhatpara town of Twenty Four Parganas district.

Trinamool workers clashed with BJP workers in front of the police in Konngarh of Hooghly district. Clashes took place between the two sides at Asansol in Burdwan. Trinamool workers clashed with BJP picketers trying to block traffic and shut down shops in Malda district.

The 'Nabanna' campaign was called for on Tuesday by the unregistered student alliance 'Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj' and the state's dissident government employees' platform 'Sangrami Samita Manch'. Trinamool Congress claims that this protest is supported by the ruling party BJP.

Protesters are demanding the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old student doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, NDTV reported.

West Bengal BJP leader Subvendu Adhikari alleged that more than 160 protesters, including 17 women, were injured in police action during the 'Nabanna' campaign on Tuesday. On the other hand, the police alleged that the protesters threw stones, bricks and bottles at the police, in which several policemen were injured.

Shuvendu called on West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose to 'impose President's Rule' in the state.

On the other hand, the West Bengal state government urged the public not to participate in the bandh on Wednesday and said that all measures will be taken to ensure that the normal rhythm of life is maintained on this day.

On August 9, the incident of rape and murder of the woman doctor at RG Kar Hospital sparked outrage across India. In various parts of India, trainee doctors are on strike by refusing to treat non-urgent patients. They are demanding justice for her murder and ensuring the safety of women in hospitals across the country.

Bangladesh /SBT