A demonstration organized by right-wing groups near Beckbagan in Kolkata descended into violence on Tuesday, prompting police to use baton charges to control the situation. The protest was against the murder of Bangladeshi national Dipu Das in Mymensingh, Bangladesh.
From Peaceful March to Violent Clash
What began as a march by organizations including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, ABVP, and Hindu Jagran Manch turned chaotic when participants attempted to breach barricades to reach the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission office. Police officials stated that the crowd became aggressive, breaking barriers and setting items on fire, which forced law enforcement to intervene.
Protesters, however, contested the police narrative. They claimed their gathering was peaceful and that the police action was unprovoked, leading to several serious injuries. At least four protesters were reported to be bleeding profusely after the clash.
Police Response and Conflicting Narratives
To disperse the crowd, police resorted to a lathi charge on Circus Avenue. The confrontation lasted for less than a minute as police chased the protesters. Deputy Commissioner of Police (SED) Bhola Nath Pandey later addressed the incident, countering claims of an unprovoked attack.
"Regarding the incident at Beckbagan, several misleading claims are being circulated on social media. Assertions that the protest was entirely peaceful and that police action was unprovoked are incorrect," said DCP Pandey. The police shared photographic evidence showing protesters engaging in violent acts.
Following the charge, many protesters were forcibly taken into police vans, with some even climbing onto the roofs of the vehicles in a dramatic scene.
Major Traffic Disruption Across Central Kolkata
The protest caused significant disruption in the city's traffic flow. Key areas affected included:
- Park Circus: Severe traffic congestion was reported.
- Circus Avenue: Traffic was stalled for around seven minutes during the lathi charge.
- AJC Bose Road: Impacted as protesters marched from Sealdah station.
Authorities had to implement diversions from Park Street and Moulali. It took approximately 35 minutes in total for traffic conditions to normalize in the vicinity. The road leading towards the Bangladesh deputy high commission from Park Circus remained open, but the opposite route was closed.
This protest in Kolkata was part of a larger wave of demonstrations held across India condemning the lynching and hanging of Dipu Das in Bangladesh.
