Kolkata, Mar 16 (PTI) BJP members staged a protest outside Girish Park police station in north Kolkata on Monday to protest the arrests of their supporters in connection with the clash ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally here on March 14.
Around 300 BJP workers scuffled with police and crossed three barricades placed in front of the police station during the protest.
Police personnel deployed at the spot tried to stop the protesters, but they moved forward and attempted to enter the premises, officials said.
“All nine arrested are karyakartas of our party. The violence and brick-batting were instigated by Trinamool Congress supporters in the area, who are followers of local MLA and minister Shashi Panja, to prevent our men from attending Modi’s rally,” a BJP leader from the area alleged.
Earlier, BJP leader Sajal Ghosh claimed that the attack on supporters heading to the rally was carried out by TMC loyalists of Panja.
“The rally-bound supporters were attacked without provocation by TMC supporters. Our workers have been falsely implicated because they are active BJP members,” he alleged.
The clash took place on Saturday when BJP workers were heading to Modi’s rally at Brigade Parade Ground.
Members of the saffron party alleged that TMC supporters attacked the buses in which its workers were travelling.
The TMC rejected the allegations, claiming that the BJP workers attacked Panja’s house at Girish Park. PTI SUS MNB
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