CPM men and police clash in central Kolkata

KOLKATA: A day ahead of municipal election, CPM cadres and police clashed in central Kolkata leaving the city paralyzed for several hours today. Several senior leaders including CPM MP Mohammad Salim and former minister Manab Mukherjee were injured while veteran CPM leader Dipak Dasgupta sustained serious injuries. Police resorted to lathicharge when the CPM men started approaching Lalbazzar, head quarter of Kolkata Police and refused to withdraw the blockade.

Section 144 was imposed in the area near Kolkata police headquarter. The CPM men started pelting stones and bricks at the police personnel after they were stopped near the G C Avenue crossing. The force retaliated with lathi charge. Around 15 police personnel were injured while over 20 CPM men sustained injuries. Md Salim however said that there was 'no provocation' and the police action was ordered by chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

The law violation programme was organized by the Left parties to protest against the 'deterioration of the law and order situation' in the state. Emboldened by the twin success including Nabanna gherao movement held on August 27 and the 24-hour general strike on September 2, the Left leaders planned 'march to Lalbazzar' programme as a part of their resurgence effort before the assembly election.