In a city in West Bengal, police faced stone-pelting and two of its vehicles were set ablaze by a mob, which allegedly included supporters of trade unions who called for a Bharat bandh. The incident took place in the Sujapur area of the Malda district on Wednesday afternoon.
When he was attacked around 1:15 pm, the police were trying to lift the blockade on NH-34. After failing to bring the situation under control, they fired into the air and fired tear gas shells. Police said a few hundred people were involved in the mob.
Malda witnessed widespread arson last month during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA. Railway stations, trains, and buses were torched in demonstrations.
But the leftists retaliated. “The police must have instigated the people. Why would they attack the police? The strike is being observed peacefully in Malda district, ”said Amit Mitra, District Secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist) Malda.
Meanwhile, Malda Superintendent of Police Alok Rajoria said that an additional police contingent has been sent to the area to restore order.
The violence also occurred when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warned that her party and government were against violence. He has supported the cause of the strike but reiterated that he is against the closure.
“The government will not tolerate any violence. The police will take action and will be charged for destroying public property.
He also targeted the Left, saying, “The Left has not done anything for Bengal in 34 years and is now spreading violence for free propaganda.”
In other parts of the state, railway tracks and roads were blocked, affecting normal life.