The rally of the Left students’ associations led by Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and Students’ Federation of India (SFI) was stalled by police at Howrah’s Mullick Fatak. The protestors started the rally at Hooghly’s Singur on Thursday and started off from Howrah station towards the state administrative headquarters, Nabanna, today.
The protesters have accused police of throwing bricks at them from the rooftop first, to which “reacted” by retaliating similarly. Within minutes, the clashes turned violent and police lathicharged on the rally. Tear gas shells were charged at the protesters and water cannon used to disperse them. A number of protesters in the rally were hurt.
Some policemen were also injured. The protesters said that they had come for submitting a peaceful deputation before chief minister Mamata Banerjee, and that there was no need to use unnecessary force on them. A bomb was also allegedly thrown by Trinamool supporters on the peaceful rally during the clashes with police.
Vehicles heading for Howrah slowed down due to the rally and for the clashes.
