Kolkata: Seventy-six BJP supporters were arrested in the city through Wednesday as they tried to disrupt normal life. Among the BJP functionaries detained was councillor Sajal Ghosh.
The day started with BJP workers blocking crossings between Kankurgachhi and Sealdah, and telling Koley Market traders not to open their shops. On his way to Lebutala Park, Ghosh and other party workers told traders, who had started business, to shut their shops.Trinamool workers opposed Ghosh’s move and reportedly tried to keep the shops open, which led to arguments and scuffles. Trinamool members claimed Ghosh threatened them. “On receiving complaints about Ghosh trying to shut down shops, police went to his house,” said an officer.
As a police team reached Ghosh’s Lebutala home, they reportedly found a large group of women blocking the door, shouting slogans, and surrounding him. Even as more of Ghosh’s supporters arrived, more cops, including DC (central) Indira Mukherjee, too, reached. The cops dispersed the protesters before taking Ghosh away in a police van to Lalbazar. Mukherjee said Ghosh had to be detained as he was inciting unrest.
Former BJP MP Roopa Ganguly, who took to the streets of Gariahat, telling bus drivers and passengers to support the bandh, was also detained as was BJP Rajya Sabha MP Shamik Bhattacharya from Salt Lake during a demonstration in Sector V. Detentions were also made at Baguiati and Kankurgachhi.