Kolkata: The Kolkata Police on Monday lathi-charged the Indian Secular Front (ISF) workers at the Basanti Highway, Bhangar in South 24 Parganas. They were protesting against the newly passed Waqf act. According to news reports, ahead of the Bengali New Year on Tuesday, the ISF workers were planning to block roads in Kolkata. A video from the spot has surfaced, in which police and RAF personnel can be seen lathi-charging and dispersing the protestors.
Reportedly a clash broke out between the agitators and the police, the protestors allegedly stone-pelted on the police, two-wheelers were set on fire and a Police van was vandalised.
Meanwhile, the situation in violence-hit Murshidabad is gradually returning to normalcy after three days of violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Reportedly, more than 200 protestors have been detained.
The West Bengal police confirmed that there has been no major incident of violence reported in Murshidabad district in the past 36 hours, adding that the process of return of people who fled their homes in the violence affected areas have started.
Earlier on Sunday, Lop in the state assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said "Elections should be held in Bengal under the President's rule. The police are Mamata Banerjee's cadre. We are ready to fight the Jihadis...Elections cannot be held in Bengal without President's rule...Where the population of Hindus is less than 50%, these people will not let Hindus vote. On the eve of elections, the Election Commission should recommend President's rule in West Bengal."
West Bengal will go for polls next year and Mamta Banerjee has been Chief Minister since 2011 in the state.
