12 Kalyani: Kalyani BJP MLA Ambika Roy and 13 others were detained on Thursday for leading violent protests against alleged land acquisition by the local municipality to dispose of solid waste.
Kalyani municipality, aiming to develop a ground for solid waste management, employed masons to construct a wall on the land at Kacharipara. Locals, in the presence of the MLA, blocked the work, alleging that the installation would spoil the environment.
Police and administrative personnel were deployed at the spot in advance as there was tension over the issue for the last few days.
On Thursday, locals allegedly pelted bricks at cops when they tried to remove the agitators. Following this, police resorted to a lathi charge and fired at least five tear gas canisters. Later, a large police force reached the spot to control the situation. RAF was also sent to the area. Locals claimed the cops also fired a few rounds of rubber bullets in the air.
The protesters complained that the police went far away from the incident site, entered houses, beat up men and women and vandalised cars. They claimed at least 100 people were injured. Police denied the charges and said five of its personnel were injured in the brick-pelting.
Kalyani SDO Abhijit Samant said over 3 acres of govt land was being prepared for solid waste management. But Roy claimed there was a "court stay" on the land. A discussion on the issue was also held on Wednesday.
"During the talks, the MLA was made to understand that the land on which the court's stay is being claimed is different. It is in Majhherchar mouza. But the land earmarked for waste management is in Kalyani mouza and there is no court stay on it. The legislator accepted it," Samant said.