Left workers clashed with police during their 'march to Nabanna' (state secretariat) programme on Monday, prompting security personnel to use water cannons, batons and tear gas to disperse them.
The Left activists tried to break police cordons at different points including Mayo Road, Dufferin road, Hastings and Santragachi.
Things took a violent turn when Left supporters allegedly hurled stones at the police prompting them to fire tear gas shells and order lathi charge. Water cannons were also used to disperse the workers at Santragachi in Howrah.
This happened despite assurances by Left Front leaders to police earlier that they would be organising a peaceful rally and hold sit-in demonstrations at three points – Rani Rashmoni Avenue, Hastings and near the Police Training School. Left supporters were also stopped at Santragachi and Foreshore Road.
Supratim Sarkar, joint commissioner of police (headquarters), said: "They started pelting stones at the police without any provocation. They even attacked policemen with bamboo sticks. The police were forced to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob."
All hell broke loose in the central business district as Left Front supporters ran helter skelter when police resorted to a lathi-charge.
Policemen also allegedly beat up some journalists who were covering the protest. Describing the assault on media persons an unfortunate incident, Sarkar said: "It is unfortunate and I assure that the policemen who were involved will be taken to task."
When reports last came in, 69 policemen, including women police, senior police officers of the rank of additional commissioner and deputy commissioner rank received injuries. The police have arrested 180 persons in this connection and a probe has been initiated.
While on the other hand, a team of Left Front MLAs led by Sujan Chakraborty went to Nabanna an hour ahead of the scheduled time of the rally.
They were stopped when the policemen realised that they were attempting to break 144 CrPC and were subsequently arrested. They were taken to Shibpur police station.
Taking a dig at Left Front for their march to the state secretariat, Trinamool Congress, general secretary Partha Chatterjee said: "This is nothing but drama. When Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is visiting districts to ensure overall development, they are taking up such programmes."