Kolkata, Aug 12 (PTI) The West Bengal Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a protest march towards Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), alleging a “paralysis” of civic services and arbitrary functioning of the municipal administration.
The protest, led by state Congress president Subhankar Sarkar, saw participation of party workers from several districts.
The protesters were stopped by Kolkata Police at Janbazar as they proceeded towards the KMC headquarters.
Police put up barricades to prevent the march from moving ahead, following which Congress workers staged a sit-in on the road, disrupting traffic in the area.
The Congress also alleged that the reorganisation of KMC wards was carried out arbitrarily and without adequate consultation or a fresh census.
It also claimed that residents faced difficulties accessing basic civic services.
Party leaders accused the municipal commissioner of taking decisions arbitrarily at a time when elected representation in the civic body is not yet in place.
The Congress also alleged that elected representatives in KMC and other municipalities in the state were being pressured to resign or were staying away out of fear, claiming that this had weakened the democratic functioning of the civic bodies.
The protesters had planned to submit a deputation at the KMC headquarters, but were prevented from reaching the civic body office due to the police barricade at Janbazar.
The party said it would continue its agitation over what it described as the undemocratic functioning of municipal bodies in the state. PTI BSM MNB
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