TMC gears up for peaceful protest

In a stinging attack on the Prime Minister, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said his Mann ki Baat radio programme was a “misuse” of the government machinery as it has now become Modi ki Baat.

“Modiji, you have finished India’s economy and growth. We don’t trust you or your mismatched wrong technology which you are advocating. We want technology and progress. But no section of society is to be left out and tortured while doing this (demonetisation),” Banerjee said in a statement.

“The women of our country will give you a befitting reply. They are the mothers of India ,” the Trinamool Congress chief said.

In his Mann ki Baat address on Sunday, the Prime Minister warned unscrupulous elements not to play with the lives of the poor by depositing illegal money into their accounts as stringent law against ‘benami’ transactions were in place to deal with them.

Meanwhile, a large number of people are expected to attend a march today  from College Square to Dorina Crossing being organised by Trinamool Congress against the “hasty and arbitrary” decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. 

The protest march will begin at 12 noon. According to Trinamool Congress leaders, lakhs of supporters and common people will take part in the protest march, which will pass through College Street, Nirmal Chandra Street, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Chittaranjan Avenue and Jawaharlal Nehru Road.

People from different parts of the state will start assembling at College Square since 9 am on Monday and everyone will start marching as soon as Banerjee reaches the venue. Senior Trinamool Congress leaders will also take part in the protest march.

The city traffic police have made an elaborate arrangement to avoid traffic congestion during the rally and if necessary, some vehicles would be diverted through alternate routes.

The state government has also taken necessary steps to ensure that everything functions smoothly despite the 12-hour bandh called by the Left Front. Instructions have been given to all state government employees to be present in their offices on Monday.

The state Transport department has assured that there will be sufficient number of buses on all routes and commuters will not face any inconvenience. State Transport minister Suvendu Adhikari had earned plaudits for ensuring that vehicular movement did not get affected when a bandh was called by Left Front unions on September 2.

The Kolkata Police will deploy 2,755 policemen including 11 deputy commissioners and 21 assistant commissioners from early morning on Monday at all strategic locations including bus and tram depots, Metro stations, ferry ghats, garages of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, fire sub-stations, markets and office areas.

Immediate legal steps will be taken against the bandh supporters if they try to thwart normal proceedings. There will be pickets at 148 points and heavy radio flying squads will also be kept ready to deal with any emergency situation.