TMC observes second 'black day'

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress observed "black day" across the state on Sunday, protesting against the incident at Silchar Airport, where the party's MPs, an MLA and a minister were "manhandled" when they went to speak to people after 40 lakh names were excluded in the final draft of Assam's National Register of Citizens (NRC). Sunday was the second day when "black day" was observed by Trinamool Congress.

It may be recalled that on Friday, Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chattreethe had said that 'black day' will be observed on Saturday and Sunday, protesting against the undemocratic confinement of the party leaders at Silchar.

On Sunday too, Trinamool Congress workers and supporters wore black badges and held rallies in several parts of the state. They also held meetings condemning the undemocratic confinement of the MPs, an MLA and senior minister Firhad Hakim.

There were rallies at different places, including Garia, where Trinamool Congress workers and supporters staged a demonstration that continued for around two hours. All wore black badges and shouted slogans protesting against the harassment of their leaders at Silchar Airport.

Senior Trinamool Congress leader and the state's Food and Supplies minister Jyotipriya Mallick headed a rally at Habra in North 24-Parganas. There was a huge rally in this connection at Kanksa in West Burdwan.

Protest marches were also organised at various places in Howrah. The party supporters carried posters and placards carrying messages protesting the incident at Silchar Airport. The party workers in Rajarhat also took out rallies and staged demonstrations at various places in the area.

It may be recalled that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had criticised the Centre in this connection, stating that it seems "super emergency" is going on in the country. She had also raised her voice against the exclusion of 40 lakh names from Assam's NRC.