Kolkata: The West Bengal Pradesh Congress on Tuesday announced a march to Lalbazar, the headquarters of Kolkata Police, on August 5 to protest the alleged deterioration of law and order in the state, attacks on opposition workers and the filing of what it described as false cases against its supporters.
State Congress President Subhankar Sarkar said that on that day, a peaceful procession will be taken from in front of Calcutta University to Lalbazar in central Kolkata and a memorandum will be submitted to the Police Commissioner.
Subhankar Sarkar said, “The Congress initially planned to gherao police stations and hold demonstrations there; however, the decision to conduct a march to Lalbazar was taken considering the overall law and order situation. Therefore, I urge all Congress workers and supporters and people who believe in democratic values to be present in front of Calcutta University on August 5 between 12 noon and 1 p.m.”
The Congress leader alleged that party workers travelling from various districts to attend the party’s Martyrs’ Day programme at Shaheed Minar in Kolkata on July 21 faced obstruction and attacks en route. He claimed several workers were assaulted, injured and, in some cases, hospitalised, while alleging that the police failed to take effective action despite complaints being lodged.
He claimed, “BJP supporters have committed incidents like attacks, beatings, looting of food and goods at various places. As a result, many Congress workers were injured, and some had to be admitted to the hospital. However, although the matter was reported to the police administration, no effective action was taken.”
The state Congress leader further claimed, “Through the Lalbazar march, demands will be made for improvement in law and order in the state, withdrawal of alleged false cases filed against the Opposition workers, and a neutral role of the administration in incidents of political violence.”
The Pradesh Congress President also expressed concern over the recent student protests in Kolkata and attacks on journalists. Strongly condemning the attacks on journalists, he said, “Congress students and youth wing workers were not involved in the incident. However, false cases and arrests have been made against Congress workers who participated in the movement.”
(IANS)
