As chaotic scenes from the streets of Kolkata and Howrah filled the TV screens on Tuesday during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' (March to Secretariat) in protest against the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the R.G. Medical College and Hospital, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sharpened its attack on the Mamata Banerjee dispensation, accusing it of not just shielding the perpetrators of the ghastly crime, but also crushing the voice of the protesting students with police excesses.
Taking cognisance of police resorting to lathi charge and use of water cannons and tear gas shells against the portesters, BJP President J.P. Nadda said that the ‘disturbing’ images from the city has left the nation enraged and infuriated.
In further diatribe on the Trinamool Congress rule, he claimed that the criminals and rapists have been ‘let loose’ in the state while those who are raising voice for women’s safety are being crushed.
Taking to X, the BJP President said, “The images of police highhandedness from Kolkata have angered every person who values democratic principles. In Didi's West Bengal, to help rapists and criminals is valued but it's a crime to speak for women's safety."
Days after the brutal rape and murder of the 31-year-old junior doctor, the students on Tuesday organised a protest march to state Secretariat Nabanna. While the protestors marched, the city police used tear gas shells and water cannons to stop them.
As per sources, no permission was given for the protest march while the ruling Trinamool Congress alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched to create unrest during the rally.
"Everybody saw how BJP goons broke barricades and attacked the police. Policemen have been injured yet they maintained restraint. BJP goons are creating trouble, and now they have called a bandh... Normal life should not be affected," said Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh in a post on X.
Meanwhile, the Bengal unit of the BJP has called for a 12-hour general strike in the state on Wednesday to condemn the police action against the protesters taking part in the 'Nabanna Abhijan' march.
Located in the Mandirtala area of Howrah district adjacent to Kolkata, Nabanna is the state Secretariat from where the Government of West Bengal operates. It houses the offices of the Chief Minister and other top ministers and officials.
Shashi Tharoor to visit US, Owaisi heads to Saudi Arabia over Pahalgam attack
Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will head to the US, while the AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi will visit Saudi Arabia to expose Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the Pahalgam attack and to underline India's firm stance against terrorism.
MEA refutes Rahul Gandhi’s claim on Op-Sindoor: 'EAM was misquoted, no prior warning to Pak'
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on Saturday refuting claims that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had asserted India informed Pakistan in advance about Operation Sindoor. The ministry denounced such assertions as a blatant distortion of facts.
Senior IPS officer Anurag appointed new Tripura Police Chief
The Tripura government, on Saturday, appointed Anurag Dhankar, an IPS officer of 1994 batch cadre, as the state's Director General of Police (DGP) replacing Amitabh Ranjan, officials said.
HM Amit Shah hails Operation Sindoor as a turning point in India's security doctrine
Home Minister Amit Shah, on a two-day visit to his home state Gujarat, said on Saturday that Operation Sindoor marked a historic shift in India’s national security response. He emphasised that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisive leadership, Indian armed forces struck deep into Pakistani territory, dismantling terrorist infrastructure.
India restricts entry of ready-made garments, processed food from Bangladesh
In a significant trade policy shift, India on Saturday restricted the import of ready-made garments (RMG), processed food and other items from Bangladesh to India via land ports, effective immediately.
NE region’s largest dairy unit inaugurated in Tripura to boost milk production
Northeast region’s largest dairy unit was jointly inaugurated in Tripura on Saturday by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
IT Ministry, Tripura DIT discuss AI’s role in citizen-focused governance framework
Senior government officials have underscored the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionising governance paradigms, reiterating AI’s growing relevance in enabling data-driven policymaking, augmenting service delivery mechanisms, and optimising administrative efficiency, IT Ministry said on Saturday.
Tripura Govt to establish three more general degree colleges
To ensure enhanced access to higher education, the BJP led coalition government in Tripura has decided to establish three new general degree colleges.