Supporters of the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party clashed outside Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Saturday morning as TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee returned from Delhi. The confrontation turned violent, prompting police intervention and causing panic among passengers and significant traffic disruptions in the area.
Violent Confrontation
The clash erupted around 9:30 AM near the arrival terminal, where a large number of TMC supporters had gathered to welcome Banerjee. BJP workers, who were also present, allegedly shouted slogans against the TMC leader, leading to a heated exchange. The situation quickly escalated into physical altercations, with both sides throwing stones and using sticks. Police had to resort to lathi charge to disperse the crowd.
Heavy Security for Banerjee
Abhishek Banerjee, the TMC national general secretary, was escorted out of the airport under heavy security cover. He was whisked away in a convoy without addressing the media. Banerjee had returned from Delhi after attending a meeting of opposition parties.
Impact on Passengers
The violence caused chaos among passengers, with many forced to take shelter inside the terminal. Flights were delayed as security personnel struggled to control the situation. Traffic on the airport road was brought to a standstill for over an hour.
Political Reactions
TMC leaders condemned the BJP for the attack, accusing them of creating a ruckus. BJP leaders, however, blamed the TMC for provoking the clash. Kolkata Police have registered a case and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the culprits.
