Women protesters from the Socialist Unity Centre of India were dragged across the road by policewomen
A nationwide bandh or strike called by ten major trade unions today paralysed West Bengal, where unions enjoy significant clout. Clashes were reported from different parts of the state including capital Kolkata; women protesters were seen being dragged by women cops.
With Mamata Banerjee telegraphing zero tolerance for strikes, her government and party, the Trinamool Congress, tried hard to ensure minimum impact.
But Biman Bose of the opposition Left declared the strike a resounding success in Bengal. The Left backs many of the trade unions that have called the bandh.
Mr Bose alleged police excesses against protesters and Left leaders in many parts of the state and told NDTV, "The voice of the Chief Minister and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are the same in respect of tackling hartals (strikes)."
Trinamool workers clashed with those of the CPM at Behrampore in Murshidabad district, where a former MP and a sitting lawmaker of the CPM were injured. Waving party flags, Trinamool supporters also attacked a CPM office at Mohammedbazar in Birbhum district. Clashes were reported from many other places.
In Siliguri, mayor and senior CPM leader Ashok Bhattacharya was arrested for leading a protest.
About 70 women protesters from the Socialist Unity Centre of India were dragged across the road by policewomen and put into buses when they resisted being removed from the Dharamtala area in Kolkata, where they had blocked traffic.
In Kolkata, most schools were closed, government colleges were open but almost no attendance. Buses and the city's metro operated as usual, but few commuters ventured out, though government offices recorded a good attendance.
Flights operated normally at the NSC Bose International Airport, though passengers complained that it was difficult to find transport out of the airport.