The state police and BJP workers battled it out on the streets in Kolkata on Thursday following the party's demonstration in front of the police headquarters at Lalbazar in the city.
The protesters set ablaze two police SUVs at Bowbazar, injuring at least 10 policemen. A section of the workers also allegedly hurled bombs at the police forces. They rained bricks and stones at the policemen and were heard shouting, "Hit us. Hit us. We will retaliate, we will hit the power house."
At least three lakhs BJP workers have hit the streets on Thursday. Police arrested BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijaybargiya during the demonstration.
Several BJP workers were injured after police resorted to massive lathicharge to control the mob. Among the injured are senior BJP leaders, including Locket Chatterjee and Biswapriya Roy Chowdhury. The police also fired continuous rounds of tear gas and used water cannons.
Security has been beefed up in the city with massive deployment of forces across Kolkata. Buses have stopped plying and all vehicles are being deviated towards the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, resulting in intense traffic. Metro railway services have been suspended in the city. Schools and colleges have been shut.
Interestingly, the clashes coincide with chief minister Mamata Banerjee's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today to discuss the issue of presidential candidate.
“Let her meet the prime minister. But prime minister would not listen to what she said,” said BJP leader Roopa Ganguly. “We will bring change in Bengal. Look at the policemen, how they are using force to disperse, attack and even trying to kill us.”
Current clashes erupted two days after the CPI(M) turned Kolkata into a battlefield with the streets near Dalhousie resembling a Kashmir-like situation with rampant instances of stone-pelting.
