Kolkata, Aug 27 (UNI) A procession led by Bharatiya Janata Party’s West Bengal unit president Sukanta Majumdar faced tear gas shells fired by police as it moved towards Lalbazar on Tuesday afternoon to demand the release of protesters arrested during Nabanna Avijan or march towards secretariat, called by West Bengal Chhatra Samaj, earlier in the day, official sources said.
Majumdar, who was leading the rally fell sick after the Kolkata Police fired tear gas canisters and was given medical treatment. Other party leaders Arjun Singh, Tapas Roy, Locket Chatterjee and other senior leaders also braved tear gas.
Police lobbed tear gas shells after BJP activists tried to break a barricade on way to Lalbazar to force police to assure safe release of the arrested protesters who took part in the Nabanna Avijan, called by Chhatra Samaj and Sangrami Joutha Moncho.
Police claimed around 12 police personnel received injuries in clashes with students during the day.
A senior police official said around 94 people were arrested. He said the police were forced to use tear gas, lathis and water cannons due to provocation from Nabanna Avijan protesters.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari earlier alleged that over 130 people had been arrested.
The BJP called a 12-hour Bangla bandh on Wednesday demanding
restoration of democracy, justice for the raped and murdered woman medic and resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The West Bengal government banned the shut down and called upon people and government staff to work normally on Wednesday.
Senior ministers Chandrima Bhattacharyra and Bratya Basu alleged the BJP’s call was a conspiracy to create lawlessness in the state after
the Nabanna Avijan failed on Tuesday.