Bengal: Clash between ISF supporters and police during demonstration in Kolkata, many including MLA Siddiqui taken into custody:

News Topical, Digital Desk : During the demonstration organised by Indian Secular Front (ISF) in Dharmatalla, Kolkata on Wednesday against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, Wakf Bill and the alleged harassment of migrant workers from Bengal in BJP-ruled states, a scuffle and clash was witnessed between party supporters and police.

15 ISF supporters taken into custody

Due to this, the entire area remained a battlefield for some time. Additional police force had to be called to control the situation. At the same time, the police took 15 ISF supporters, including MLA Naushad Siddiqui, into custody on charges of staging a dharna and taking out a march without permission.

The clash started when the lone ISF MLA, Naushad Siddiqui, who was leading the protest, was allegedly punched by a policeman, causing him to fall to the ground and get injured. Following this, his supporters got agitated.

The supporters started jostling with the police in protest. This created an atmosphere of chaos. A senior Kolkata Police official said that minimum force was used to disperse the protesters.

The official claimed that hundreds of ISF workers led by Naushad Siddiqui protested at Y Channel in central Kolkata's Esplanade area, blocking vehicular movement and scuffling with police. This led to the detention of the MLA and several other party workers.

ISF MLA condemned police action

At the same time, the ISF MLA said that we were protesting peacefully. We had sought prior permission from the police for this, but Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's administration showed its double face by not giving permission.

It is shameful to attack

He alleged that our right to protest in a democratic way is being taken away. It is extremely shameful that an elected representative was attacked by the police on the road in this manner. ISF strongly condemned the incident and demanded an answer from the state administration on the police action.

Vehicular movement was disrupted for an hour

Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner (Central) Indira Mukherjee told reporters that we had to use minimum force to remove the blockade put up by the ISF to facilitate traffic movement on the busy route.

He said there was no report of anyone being injured. Due to the protest, vehicular movement in the area was disrupted for about an hour.