Stern action on BJP's anti-social activities: Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: BJP brought people from neighbouring states and resorted to "hooliganism and anti-social activities," West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged. Stern action will be taken against anti-socials, she said, a day after BJP's march to the state secretariat ended in violence. Praising the police for showing restraint, Banerjee said that the law will catch up with those who indulged in arson and attacks on cops.

"In a democracy, people organise protest movements peacefully. However, in the name of protests, one cannot resort to anti-social activities and carry bombs, pistols and stones in bags. They cannot hurt or injure others. Anti-social activities do not go hand-in hand with political movements," Banerjee said in Midnapore Wednesday. Violence during BJP's protest in parts of Kolkata and Howrah injured many from stone pelting and scuffle with the police on Tuesday.

"Trains were rented and outsiders were brought from other states. The goons entered railway property and pelted stones and bombs on the police. BJP don't have workers in Bengal and was resorting to hooliganism," Banerjee alleged. At Santragachhi in Howrah, protesters laid siege to the railway terminus for over four hours and hurled stones at the police. Several police personnel and senior officers were injured in the incident and railway passengers were stuck inside the station for hours.