Kolkata: The police are initiating cases under the West Bengal Maintenance of Public order (Amendment) Act 2017, for payment of compensation for damages caused during the bandh called by BJP on Wednesday.
It may be mentioned that state-run buses were damaged and some were also set on fire, allegedly by BJP supporters, at certain parts of the state. It also includes a bus of the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) that was set on fire near Burrabazar on Brabourne Road.
The state Transport department had taken the initiative to ply more buses to help people reach their destinations without facing any problem. The department has operated around 2,600 buses across the state for the same. The move to ply more buses was made in view of the bandh on Wednesday.
According to the sources in the state Transport department, each of the buses cost around Rs 25 to 30 lakh and with so many buses being damaged, the total amount of loss would cross a few crores.
Meanwhile, reacting sharply on the attacks on buses and damage of property, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: "It takes a long time to develop infrastructure. So, directions have been given to take steps as per the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Act 2017."
It may be mentioned that BJP workers and supporters allegedly pelted stones at some buses as well some of which were later set on fire.
Partha Chatterjee, the state Parliamentary Affairs
ministers, attacked BJP for such acts. He said: "Their work is only to create chaos and disturbance in the state. Despite such activities they failed to bring Bengal to a standstill. People of Bengal do not want bandhs anymore. They want development."