Bandh day 2: Attempts fail to hamper normal life, services
Kolkata: The second day of the bandh called by the opposition trade unions had no impact across the state including Kolkata. In several areas, the bandh supporters resorted to hooliganism to obstruct vehicular movement.
In Rajabazar, the bandh supporters attacked a pool car carrying school children. One child was injured by the stone pelters supporting the bandh. Transport service remained normal and more government buses were pressed into service.
The State government offices, educational institutions and even private companies recorded normal attendance.
The IT sector and Port activities were normal and so was the attendance at tea gardens. Attendance at Nabanna, new Secretariat buildings and other state offices at different parts of the city and the state recorded above 95 percent of attendance.
On Wednesday morning, the bandh supporters again tried to put up a blockade by organising a rally at Jadavpur led by CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty.
Police immediately intervened and dispersed the mob. Several CPI(M) leaders and cadres have been arrested including Chakraborty.
In Rajabazar, the SFI workers and leaders resorted to hooliganism to make the bandh a success. They even attacked a pool car carrying several nursery students to school. It is alleged that the bandh supporters pelted stones at the pool car.
As a result, the windshield and other glass windows broke. One child got injured and was immediately rushed to Calcutta Medical College Hospital where the doctors treated him. Later, police arrested the SFI leaders. Train service was partially affected in the Sealdah and Howrah section. Howrah Division was made obstruction free by 8:10 am and Sealdah Division was made the same by 12:30 pm.
On Wednesday morning, the bandh supporters allegedly placed bombs on the railway track near Habra railway station. Due to this train services got disrupted in the Bongaon section for almost three hours.
In the Ranaghat section, the bandh supporters put up a blockade at Ranaghat and Simurali station. Banana leaves were thrown on the overhead electric wires.
In the Sealdah South section, train services got disrupted at Lakshmikantapur and Namkhana.
In Basuldanga, the bandh supporters placed concrete slabs on the railway tracks and put up a blockade. Later, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel dispersed the mob and normal train movement commenced after almost
an hour.
Over 10,000 police personnel were deployed in the city along with an additional force of 5,000 to prevent any untoward incident.
Kolkata Police arrested 99 persons in connection with attempts of enforcing the bandh on Wednesday. In the Hills, the bandh failed to make an impact. Shops, offices, business establishments and educational institutes remained open. There was normal traffic on the road. Tea gardens in the Hills also remained open.
