Kolkata looks like Kashmir

KOLKATA: Largescale violence broke out in central Kolkata on Wednesday after thousands of stone-pelting protestors clashed with police during a shutdown called by a Muslim outfit. The Army patrolled the streets and night curfew was clamped in the worst-hit areas. It was for the first time since the 1992 riots that the Army was called to bring order in the city during violence. Curfew will be in place from 10 pm to 6 am in the violence hit areas.

Mobs attacked police and torched vehicles during the three-hour ‘shutdown’ called by the All India Minority Forum in protest against the Nandigram violence. The Forum was also demanding cancellation of visa of Bangladeshi writer Tasleema Nasreen.

Two columns of the Army (180 soldiers) staged flag marches in Park Circus, Ripon Street, Mouali, Mullick bazar and adjacent areas. Police Commissioner G M Chakraborty said two more columns would patrol the streets later. The state government had sought six columns of army.

Police fought pitched battles with the Forum activists after they were attacked with stones, glass bottles and swords which forced them to lob teargas shells and make lathicharges. Padmapukur, AJC Bose Road, Ripon street, Beniapukur, Park Circus turned into a battlefield with the attackers going on a rampage damaging and setting dozens of vehicles including an ambulance on fire. Home Secretary P R Roy said two offices of the CPM were also set ablaze. Protestors also blocked roads.

Two police deputy commissioners were among 35 policemen injured whilean unspecified number of people were also hurt. At least 60 persons were arrested, officials said. The protests also led to closure on schools and businesses in central Kolkata. Some students were reportedly trapped in schools waiting for order to be restored. Hours after the Army was called out, Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee tonight said the situation was ‘under control’.

“The City police commissioner, who is out on road to supervise law and order situation, informed me that the situation is under control,” he told reporters at Writers’ Buildings this avening. Mr Bhattacharjee added that All-India Minority Forum was ‘utterly irresponsible’ in their approach.