Kolkata, 24 December (H.S.):

A tense situation unfolded in Kolkata on Wednesday as a protest march organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh led to chaos near Howrah Bridge. BJP workers and supporters attempted to break through police barricades while trying to take the procession onto the bridge, triggering clashes with the police and causing major traffic disruption in the area. The protesters then staged a sit-in on Howrah Bridge, leading to clashes between the police and the demonstrators. The incident severely disrupted traffic on the bridge.

The police stated that no permission had been granted for any procession or demonstration on Howrah Bridge, for which the march was stopped there. Police officers repeatedly tried to reason with the protesters, but the situation remained tense for some time. A heavy police presence was deployed in the area.

Notably, the BJP had planned the march to Howrah Bridge as part of a pre-scheduled protest against the killing of Dipu Das in Bangladesh. However, according to police sources, permission was only granted for the procession up to a point before Howrah Bridge, as the bridge, connecting Kolkata and Howrah, is a crucial artery. Despite this, on Wednesday morning, BJP workers attempted to cross Howrah Bridge and continue the march. It was during this attempt to break through the police barricades that the situation escalated.

Notably, the previous day, Tuesday, a tense situation had also arisen during a protest organized by 'Hindu Jagran' at Beckbagan, where demonstrators attempted to gherao the Bangladeshi Deputy High Commission. In that incident too, protesters tried to break through police barricades and clashed with the police. Police resorted to a lathi charge to control the situation, resulting in several injuries. The police later declared that protest illegal and restored order.

The echoes of that incident had barely subsided when another protest turned violent, this time in Howrah Bridge area.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey