Kolkata, July 9:

The Bharat Bandh called on Wednesday by 10 central trade unions in protest against the Central government's policies witnessed a mixed response across West Bengal. Despite strict measures by the state government and a proactive administration, Left parties and allied groups took to the streets in several districts, leading to sporadic clashes, blockades, and arrests.

In Domjur (Howrah), CPI(M) supporters attempted to stop buses and trucks, force shops to shut, and made efforts to pull drivers out of vehicles. The situation escalated quickly, prompting a baton charge by police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel. Two CPI(M) workers were injured and hospitalized.

In Asansol, tensions flared between Left activists and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters. While Left groups blocked traffic, the TMC’s trade union wing, INTTUC, took out rallies urging shops to remain open and public life to continue as usual. Verbal altercations and minor scuffles were reported between the two sides.

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Railway Blockades, Clashes, and Arrests Across Districts

Bandh supporters attempted to block railway tracks in several districts including Durgapur, Lalgola, Barrackpore, Diamond Harbour, Konnagar, Jalpaiguri, Raiganj, Cooch Behar, and Dinhata. Police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel intervened to clear the blockades and restore normalcy.

Cooch Behar saw one of the most tense situations, with several Left leaders, including CPI(M) district secretary Ananta Roy, Mahananda Saha, and SUCI leader Nepal Mitra, taken into custody. In Dinhata, police stopped an SUCI rally near the Panchmatha crossing and detained 29 protesters.

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Arson in South Kolkata; Policeman Injured

In Jadavpur, South Kolkata, a protest effigy burning accidentally led to a fire at a local shop, and a policeman’s shoe caught fire during the incident. Left supporters held processions with placards at Gangulibagan, Baghajatin Station, and Jadavpur Station. While authorities claimed uninterrupted rail service, SFI and DYFI members protested outside Calcutta University and College Street. Scuffles broke out with police as they attempted to burn tyres. Several activists were arrested. Protesters also blocked roads near the Prabartak Jute Mill on BT Road in Belgharia.

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Jute and Cotton Mills Shut Down Across State

The industrial impact of the bandh was significant. Around nine jute mills from Howrah to Bansberia in Hooghly shut down early in the morning. Jute and cotton mills in North 24 Parganas also remained closed. Due to low worker turnout, many managements voluntarily suspended operations. Awanish Dubey of the Rashtriya Chatkal Mazdoor Union told Hindusthan Samachar that the bandh had widespread support across West Bengal’s factories and that workers voluntarily joined the protest without coercion.

Meanwhile, the state government adopted a tough stance to counter the bandh. From Nabanna, directives were issued to keep all government and aided offices open. Employees were warned that absentees would face pay cuts unless they had valid reasons like medical emergencies or bereavement.

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Government Orders Normal Transport Services

An order issued by Transport Secretary Soumitra Mohan instructed all public and private transport operators, including state-run corporations, to operate services as usual. NBSTC Chairman Partha Pratim Roy confirmed that transport in North Bengal remained mostly unaffected. Government and private buses ran throughout the day, with police deployed in greater numbers to prevent disruptions.

A CPI(M) leader remarked, “We are protesting against the anti-people policies of the Narendra Modi government. Why is Mamata Banerjee trying to sabotage the bandh?”

INTTUC President Ritabrata Banerjee countered, saying, “Strikes are not a solution. They waste working days and harm workers.”

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North Bengal Registers Patchy Response

In North Bengal districts like Raiganj, Bagdogra, Balurghat, Chopra, Malda, Siliguri, and Jalpaiguri, the bandh had a mixed effect. Some areas saw shuttered shops, while in others, schools and transportation operated normally. Clashes were reported between TMC and CPI(M) workers in Naxalbari, and between police and bandh supporters in Chanchal, Malda.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh