Mamata Banerjee alleges 'police raj' amid clashes during protest

Kolkata: A procession taken out by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress to protest the alleged rape and murder of a minor and several other issues faced several obstacles with BJP workers shouting "chor chor" and "Jai Shri Ram" and bringing out parallel rallies. The procession was heavily cordoned by the police. CAPF personnel had to resort to a lathicharge to prevent a scuffle. Reacting to this, Mamata Banerjee said there was total "lawlessness" in Bengal.

The Trinamool Congress leadership claimed 41 party workers were injured and admitted at SSKM as they suffered "physical assault and brutality unleashed by the BJP goondas" during the rally. However, there was no confirmation on this by the police.

Banerjee said her party workers were attacked by the BJP and claimed that the police did not take action, violating the Calcutta High Court's order, which she called "contempt of court".


"We will move the HC and file contempt of court. Once the high court permits a procession on a particular route, no other group should be allowed to create obstructions along that route," Banerjee pointed out.

The Trinamool Congress' procession was taken out from Ballygunge to Hazra.

"Please run the government peacefully. We condemn BJP's atrocities on our people in today's rally. It is the duty of the police to keep a watch. Instead of giving protection to our people, we witnessed police raj. Police have become BJP's party arms," Banerjee said.

"In the last two months, many women were raped and tortured," Banerjee claimed. She said she deliberately chose not to participate as it would attract more crowds.