High voltage drama as TMC supporters protest CBI detentions in Narada case

A huge crowd of TMC supporters resorted to violence in front of the CBI office at Nizam Palace in Kolkata on Monday morning, violating all Covid protocol on the second day of the Bengal lockdown, following the arrest of TMC leaders and ministers in connection with the Narada case.

They hurled bricks, slippers and bottles at the central forces and tried to break open the gate to enter Nizam Palace, where the arrested TMC leaders were being kept. Violent clashes continued for several hours and then the protestors staged a sit-in protest to prevent the TMC leaders from being produced before court.

Later, the West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police took charge of the situation. A virtual hearing had to be conducted due to the Covid situation and the violence outside the CBI office.


A supporter of Firhad Hakim, who was protesting, said Hakim has been framed illegally by the BJP.

“The BJP failed to win Bengal and they are trying to malign clean politicians. We have seen the leader at close proximity, he is such a helpful person,” said Zafar, a supporter of Firhad.

Sporadic violence was also reported across Bengal as several TMC supporters were seen burning tyres and lying on the road to protest the arrests. Several agitations were seen at Asansol, Burdwan and Birbhum over the arrest of the leaders.

Meanwhile, some supporters of Firhad Hakim and Madan Mitra organised a sit-in-protest in front of Governor’s house, demanding the latter’s resignation.

Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar took to social media and requested West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to maintain law and order.

Jagdeep Dhankhar tweeted, “Total lawlessness & anarchy. Police and administration in silence mode. Hope you realise the repercussions of such lawlessness and failure of constitutional mechanism. Time to reflect and contain this explosive situation that is worsening minute by minute.”

Dhankhar also tweeted: “On channels and in public domain I notice arson and pelting of stones at CBI office. Pathetic that Kolkata Police, West Bengal Police are just onlookers. Appeal to you to act and restore law and order. Police must take all steps to maintain law & order. Sad - situation is being allowed to drift with no tangible action by authorities.”

Meanehile, TMC MP and Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhisek Banerjee took to twitter and urged people to keep calm and refrain from violence.

“I urge everyone to abide by the law & refrain from any activity that violates lockdown norms for the sake of the larger interest of Bengal and its people. We have utmost faith in the judiciary & the battle will be fought legally,” Banerjee tweeted.