Bandh disrupts normal life in West Bengal

Kolkata, Feb.6: Violence rocked most parts of Kolkata on Wednesday during a Left Bloc shutdown, a day after police at Dinhata opened fire on protesters demanding jobs and the cancellation of plans to set up industrial zones on farming land, killing at least four villagers and seriously injuring 25 people.

The daylong shutdown threw normal life out of gear across West Bengal. Left Bloc supporters disrupted rail and road transport services, and nearly 166 of them were arrested by police. Meanwhile, the death toll from Tuesday's police firing in Dinhata climbed to six with a member of the National Volunteer Force, Krishna Kanta Burman, succumbing to injuries on Wednesday.

IGP (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said 41 shutdown supporters were arrested from different districts, while another 125 were arrested from different parts of the city, including Rajabazar, Shyambazar, S N Banerjee Road and Howrah Bridge, besides some other places.

The opposition Trinamool Congress and the Congress are supporting the shutdown, while SUCI is extending 'moral' support to it.

"There are some issues that can not be dealt with behind closed doors. It is then that we come out in the open and put forth the issues in front of the common man. When we feel the need to acquaint the general public with such issues, we announce shutdowns," said Ajay Agnihotri, a Forward Bloc activist.

Security has been beefed up to control any further untoward incidents.

After being forced to abort a proposed special economic zone (SEZ) in the state's Nandigram area last year, the CPM led West Bengal government has put all SEZs on hold in the state. But it is still inviting companies to invest in at least six proposed SEZ projects, leading to protests by parties who question the government's motives.

ANI