West Bengal: BJP's 12-Hour Bandh Today After Police Crackdown On 'Nabanna Abhijan' Protesters—All You Need To Know

After police action against protesters marching to the state secretariat 'Nabanna' over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata, the BJP has announced a 12-hour bandh from 6 am to 6 pm across West Bengal on Wednesday (28 August).

The protest was against the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata.

Normal life was partially affected in West Bengal due to the bandh, with reports of clashes between Trinamool and BJP workers in the outskirts of Kolkata even though schools and colleges remained open.

The BJP's call for a 12-hour general strike follows police use of lathis, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse protesters attempting to reach 'Nabanna' on Tuesday.

The march, known as 'Nabanna Abhijan,' was organized by an unregistered student group 'Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj' and a dissident state government employees' platform 'Sangrami Joutha Mancha.'

The Trinamool Congress claimed the protest had BJP backing.

The protesters were demanding the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari alleged that over 160 protesters, including 17 women, were injured due to the police action, while police claimed injuries among their personnel as well.

Adhikari, who is the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, has called on Governor CV Ananda Bose to "impose President's Rule" in the state.

"We are forced to give the dawn-to-dusk strike call for a general strike as this autocratic regime is turning a deaf ear to the voices of people, the demand for justice for the victim. Instead of justice, Mamata Banerjee's police are turning on the peace-loving people of the state, who only wanted a safe and secure environment for women," BJP state president and union minister Sukanta Majumdar said.

The West Bengal government has urged the public to ignore the BJP's bandh.

Alapan Bandopadhyay, chief advisor to Chief Minister Banerjee, stated, "The government will not allow any bandh on Wednesday. We urge people not to participate in it. All steps shall be taken to ensure that normal life is unaffected".

The state issued a notification stating that all government offices would remain open and all employees, except those facing exigencies or are on leave, would have to report for duty on 28 August or face show-cause for their unauthorised absence.

The Trinamool Congress accused the BJP of calling the strike to gain political leverage, asserting that there "will be no bandh" on Wednesday.

The rape and murder of the 31-year-old doctor on 9 August has caused nationwide outrage, leading to junior doctors across the country refusing to see non-emergency patients.

They are demanding justice for the victim and improved safety measures for women in hospitals.

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