Protesters damaged two buses Cooch BeharWhere there was scuffle and heated argument between BJP and Trinamool Congress workers were also reported.
Elsewhere, however, the bandh remained peaceful while 100 agitators were detained from different parts of the region, a police official said.
Protesters damaged two buses operated by the state-run NBSTC, while BJP workers blocked roads in various parts of the area, affecting normal life despite heavy police deployment.
Residents of Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Raiganj, Kaliaganj, Tufanganj, Balrampur and Cooch Behar cities remained indoors as business establishments were closed and vehicles were off the roads due to the bandh which began at 6 am.
A senior police officer said, “Barring a few sporadic incidents, the bandh remained peaceful. Our officers were alert and avoided any attempt to disrupt law and order. We took strict action and arrested over 100 people trying to disturb peace.” Detained more people.”
When TMC workers tried to stop a BJP rally in Chowpatty area of Tufanganj, the police had to intervene. A similar scene was also witnessed in Cooch Behar’s Chakirbazar, where a scuffle broke out between TMC and BJP workers.
However, the bandh did not have much impact on normal life in Darjeeling and Malda districts where shops, markets remained open, though BJP workers were seen protesting outside government offices demanding “stop work” immediately.
TMC workers also took out counter-rallies against the bandh and appealed to the people to lead a normal life.
BJP leader Anant Dey Sarkar alleged that he and his party colleagues were attacked by TMC workers at Ghughumari in Coochbehar district.
“We had given a bandh call to protest what happened in Kaliaganj. I was organizing a peaceful program in support of the bandh. Suddenly we were attacked by TMC workers. Police remained mute spectators,” he said.
Movement of students and emergency services were kept out of the purview of the bandh.
Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC and suspended internet services in Kaliyaganj town of Uttar Dinajpur district, which has been hit by violence since last week over the death of a 17-year-old girl.
Protests over the girl’s death turned violent on Tuesday when a mob set the Kaliaganj police station on fire and thrashed the policemen on duty. Protesters claimed that she was raped and murdered, although the preliminary post-mortem examination report did not indicate rape.
A civilian volunteer, who was seriously injured in Tuesday’s violence, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital during treatment. North Bengal At Siliguri’s Medical College and Hospital on Thursday…
(With PTI inputs)