Kolkata police have detained BJP leader Locket Chatterjee, who participated in the ’12-hour Bengal Bandh’ protest in West Bengal following the Nabanna Abhijan violence. Chatterjee, along with BJP supporters, was protesting at Kolkata’s Bata Chowk. During her detention, Chatterjee stated, “Nothing will change; the more they detain, the more people will join the protest. This is the people’s anger, and they are on the streets. The police can detain people but not the idea.”
In addition, BJP leader Rupa Ganguly joined the bandh, urging commuters to support the protest demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The BJP initiated the 12-hour bandh after Kolkata police used lathi charges, water cannons, and tear gas against protesters during the Nabanna Abhijan rally.
Authorities have increased security in Kolkata in response to the BJP’s bandh call. Dendup Sherpa, Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) for Uttar Dinajpur, stated, “Police personnel are deployed everywhere to maintain law and order in the state.” To prevent violence, the administration has instructed government bus drivers and conductors in Kolkata to wear helmets, with drivers of North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) buses seen following this directive in Cooch Behar.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused the BJP of attacking the police and attempting to incite disorder in the state. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “We all want justice in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case, and Mamata Banerjee is also committed to justice. The case is now with the CBI, and one accused has been arrested. The BJP is trying to create anarchy; yesterday they attacked the police and today they’ve called this bandh. Everything is normal in Bengal, and the people have rejected the BJP’s bandh.”
On August 27, violence erupted in Kolkata, with security forces using tear gas, water cannons, and lathi charges to disperse protesters marching towards the West Bengal State Secretariat Nabanna. The unrest follows the alleged rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, which has sparked nationwide outrage and numerous rallies.