Congress and BJP supporters clash at Central Avenue

Kolkata: A clash broke out between Congress and BJP supporters on Thursday afternoon on Central Avenue near BJP state party office during a rally by the Congress protesting the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB).

According to Congress workers and supporters, after the rally commenced from Muhammad Ali Park, rallyists went to Central Avenue towards Chandni Chowk.

At the same time, several BJP workers had gathered at the party office to witness and celebrate the passing of Citizenship Amendment Bill. When the rally was passing the BJP state party office, it is alleged that BJP supporters threw bricks and glass bottles at the rally.

When Congress supporters retaliated, both BJP and Congress supporters got involved in a clash.

Suspecting deterioration of law and order, police force deployed at BJP state party tried controlling the situation but failed to check both the party workers from getting involved in the clash.

Congress workers further alleged that police did not try to stop the BJP workers and initiated lathi-charge on Congress workers. Later, police arrested several Congress and BJP workers and dispersed the mob.

The BJP has denied the allegations made by Congress and alleged that Congress workers had attacked BJP workers who were standing in front of Mulidhar Sen Lane on Central Avenue. The party has further alleged that Congress workers deliberately used abusive language taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name.