Bandh supporters clash with police in Kolkata

The bandh supporters targeted a Kolkata-Dhaka bus and blocked road and rail traffic in the state.

Bandh

supporters clashed with police, targeted a Kolkata-Dhaka bus and blocked road and rail traffic in the state where life was affected by the 12-hour statewide bandh called on Friday by the Trinamool Congress and supported by Congress.

IGP (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said bandh supporters pelted stones at the Kolkata-Dhaka bus damaging its window panes near Bongaon in North 24 Parganas district.

Two of the 27 passengers on board were injured, he said adding five people were arrested in this connection.

The bandh was called to protest against police atrocities, forcible acquisition of farmland for a Tata Motors project and attempt to curb democratic movement by the Left Front government.

The police lathi-charged bandh supporters who tried to block the road at Ballygunj area in the metropolis.

State Congress Vice-President Subrata Mukherjee, who was leading a procession, was arrested at Gariahat for trying to block traffic.

Tension prevailed at Hazra, near the residence of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, where TC supporters took out a procession. A strong police picket was posted there and the Rapid Action Force deployed.

Reports of sporadic incidents of violence were reported from other parts of the state.

Over 300 bandh supporters were taken into custody for trying to block road and rail traffic and for damaging a bus, police sources said.