Kolkata remained tense for the second consecutive day on Wednesday as protests continued over the killing of a Bangladesh-origin man, with chaotic scenes unfolding during the BJP’s “Howrah Bridge Blockade” programme. Police stopped the BJP procession before it could reach the bridge, leading to scuffles and severe traffic congestion in the area.
According to police, BJP leaders and workers began marching towards Howrah Bridge in the morning but were intercepted before stepping onto the bridge. Anticipating unrest, the police had cordoned off the area in advance. When protesters attempted to cross police barricades, they were blocked, prompting heated arguments. The workers then sat on the road shouting slogans, and a scuffle broke out when police tried to clear the stretch.
Protesters attempted to push past barricades and attacked personnel, according to eyewitnesses, following which officers moved to disperse the crowd. The clashes resulted in massive traffic snarls on Howrah Bridge and its adjoining roads.
The protests follow allegations of the mob lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, which triggered demonstrations across several parts of India, including West Bengal. On Tuesday, the Beckbagan area in central Kolkata turned volatile during a march towards the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission called by Sangh Parivar organisations such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), ABVP and Hindu Jagran Manch.
Police had intercepted protesters before they could reach the mission, a high-security zone, after they said they wanted to submit a memorandum. The situation escalated into clashes between police and demonstrators, leaving at least 20 people injured and 19 arrested. Although the BJP was not initially part of Tuesday’s rally, party leaders arrived at the spot later, following which the party announced the Howrah Bridge blockade.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has called for a symbolic blockade at the Indo-Bangladesh border. Protests have also been reported from Siliguri and Malda, where activists from the VHP and Hindu Jagran Manch surrounded the Bangladesh Visa Service Centre. Similar demonstrations were reported from other pockets of the state.
Police said security has been tightened at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and at major border points such as Petrapole, with forces on high alert to prevent further escalation.