Fresh protests erupt across West Bengal over Bangladesh lynching, violence reported near Howrah station
Kolkata: Protests condemning the ongoing anti-India demonstrations in neighbouring Bangladesh and the brutal lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das intensified across Kolkata and several districts of West Bengal on Wednesday, triggering clashes with police at key locations.
Reports said the protests disrupted normal life and led to tense situations at major transit points. According to officials, demonstrators attempted to march towards the iconic Howrah Bridge, a crucial lifeline connecting Kolkata with south Bengal districts.
Police stopped the protesters from proceeding towards the bridge, following which violence erupted near Howrah railway station. The situation turned volatile as protesters raised slogans and engaged in heated arguments with security personnel.
The protests were primarily organised by BJP workers and Hindu organisations to condemn the incident in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, where Dipu Chandra Das was allegedly lynched by a mob. Protesters demanded strong diplomatic action against Bangladesh and protection for minorities, particularly Hindus, in the neighbouring country.
As police tried to prevent the protest march, demonstrators reportedly sat on the road and attempted to break through barricades, leading to clashes. Security personnel later moved in to disperse the crowd. “We will not allow anyone to disrupt public life or cause inconvenience to commuters in the name of protests.
Any attempt to create trouble will be dealt with strictly as per law,” a senior Howrah police officer said. Police sources claimed that protesters behaved aggressively despite repeated appeals to maintain peace.
Barricades were erected in the area as a precautionary measure, and additional forces were deployed to prevent escalation. No official confirmation of injuries was available, though the situation remained tense for several hours.
Protests were not limited to Kolkata alone. In Darjeeling district, demonstrations were reported near the India-Bangladesh border at Siliguri, while in North 24 Parganas district, Hindu outfits blocked trucks carrying export and import goods at key border points such as Petrapole and Ghojadanga.
The blockade disrupted cross-border trade temporarily and caused traffic congestion. The protests stem from the lynching incident that occurred on December 18 in Baluka area of Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district.
Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old garment factory worker, was allegedly beaten to death by an enraged mob over accusations of blasphemy. Reports further stated that his body was stripped, hung from a tree and set on fire, sparking outrage among Hindu communities in India.
The incident has led to widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, with protesters urging the Indian government to take up the matter at an international level.
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