Bandh paralyses life in Jalpaiguri

The 12-hours bandh convened by the district Congress following a clash with CPI-M in Alipurduar on 28 November, received a good response today in all over the district.
The 12-hour bandh was called for across the district alleging that police had failed to arrest the perpetrators of the violence within a time frame. The Congress members had also alleged that the CPI-M was responsible for the ruckus.

All the schools, collages and other institutions remained closed. The work at the offices and banks remained stalled and markets wore a desolate look. The train services were also disrupted owing to the bandh call.

Meanwhile, the district president of Congress, Mr Biswa Ranjan Sarkar, threatened the administration to to call for a strike again if police fails to take steps to arrest the alleged CPI-M supporters. “Police could not arrested the nine people mentioned whose names were listed in our FIR copy. We have enough evidence against those CPI-M goons. They had organised severe attack on our party office and assaulted our supporters and leaders along with me. It was their preplanned action. Only three people have been arrested so far but they are not among those nine persons.” the president said. Defending the allegations, the district president of CPI-M, Mr Maink Sanyal, said that the Congress "hooligans" have laid a trap for their supporters. “Neither CPI-M nor SFI have any connection with the incident. The Congress hooligans and their hired goons had attacked our supporters but none of them have been arrested so far,” said Mr Sanyal. The SP Jalpaiguri, Mr Manoj Varma, commented that they have stationed enough force all over the district to avoid any further clashes. “There is enough evidence against those three arrested.” the SP said.