BJP resorts to vandalism to implement bandh

Darjeeling: Sporadic clashes and incidents of violence were reported from different parts of North Bengal over BJP's 12 hour bandh call on Tuesday. Cooch Behar district was the worst affected.

The BJP had called a bandh on Tuesday over the death of Hemtabad (North Dinajpur) MLA Debendra Nath Roy. In the morning NBSTC buses were plying and many shops were open.

Two NBSTC buses were vandalized in Ghugumari area and one at Newtown area of Cooch Behar town by alleged BJP supporters. Police had to resort to mild baton charge in Ghughumari area. Police pickets were put up in all sensitive areas of the town. Clashes were reported at Bakshirhat in Cooch Behar between the BJP and TMC. Around 20 persons were injured in the clashes.

Suresh Burman of the TMC leader from Toofangunj alleged that BJP supporters armed with spears, batons, bow and arrows tried to enforce the bandh at Naguruhat bazaar and attacked people with the weapons.

A TMC party office was also vandalized at Bakla Bazar. At Salbari (Cooch Behar) more than 20 motorbikes were torched claimed Burman.

Utpal Das of the BJP refuted the allegations and stated that TMC supporters had attacked BJP supporters.

Situation was tense in Kalchini Block in Alipurduar with BJP picketing on the road. Later the pickets were removed by the police. Police arrested BJP leaders including MLA Wilson Champramari. Later TMC took out a rally protesting the bandh.

With more than 20 major markets closed in Siliguri owing to the pandemic, the bandh had not much effect. However some shops remained closed on Hill Cart Road and Sevok Road.

The BJP supporters tried to enforce the bandh and disrupt traffic at Hasmi Chowk in Siliguri. Many were arrested by the police.

Some BJP supporters even torched tyres at NJP and on the National Highway 31 at PWD More. Vehicular traffic plied normally in Siliguri.