ISF supporters protest Waqf Act, clash with Kolkata police

Kolkata: Indian Secular Front (ISF) supporters on Monday clashed with Kolkata Police at South 24 Parganas district's Bhangar area against the Waqf Act, leading to injuries and torching of police vehicles.

Situation escalated when protesters attempted to break police barricades. The protesters clashed with police as they were stopped from heading towards Kolkata to attend an ISF rally. The protesters vandalised a Kolkata Police prison van and torched five police motorbikes. ISF's Kolkata rally was addressed by the party's lone MLA, Nausad Siddique.

Violence was also reported from the Ghatakpukur area of West Bengal. Two persons have been reportedly detained in this connection.


The protestors were stopped near Basanti highway where they toppled guardrails and pelted stones at police. The miscreants also threw stones at CCTV cameras in Shonpur market area where Rapid Action Force was conducting area domination. "A flash mob came to the spot and stones were thrown. Several policemen were injured. Cops were present when the incident happened," a policeman, present at the spot, said.

Police resorted to baton charge to control the situation. Around 100 vehicles, carrying a number of ISF supporters, were going towards Kolkata for the rally when they were stopped. JCP (crime) Rupesh Kumar visited the spot to assess the situation.

"Our people were heading to Kolkata for a peaceful meeting but they were tortured. People coming from Basanti highway were attacked by police. It is a Trinamool Congress conspiracy. Our protest will continue for long, maybe for six months and more. ISF will attend peaceful protests," Siddique said.

Siddique said: "We will continue meeting in a peaceful manner and democratically. We have to be alert and continue our protest in a democratic way."

The situation remained tense in the area and shops were closed.