BJP claims total success of North Bengal Bandh

Kolkata. Over 500 BJP workers were arrested  from different districts during today’s 12 hour ‘North Bengal Bandh’ called by the party in protest against the unnatural death of BJP  MLA Debendranath Ray at Hremtabad in Nporth Dinajpur yesterday.

Claiming a ‘total success’ of the dawn to dusk bandh  in all seven North Bengal districts from Malda to Coochbehar despite the alleged police brutality, BJP state President Dilip Ghosh congratulated the people for the success of the Bandh, and said here this evening that baring a few minor incidents the bandh was ‘by and large peaceful’ with ‘overwhelming support’ coming from the ‘peace loving people of the srate’. 

Categorically denying that BJP workers were involved in a few minor incidents in which at least three North Bengal State Transport buses were damaged, Ghosh claimed instead attacks were made by the ruling party workers and blamed the opposition BJP for such acts.

‘We do not believe in using force during such public bandh’,he said and alleged that efforts were being made by the ruling TMC to supress the ghatly murder of party MLA  despite the opposition from the people.

Apart from all shops, business establishments and markets remained closed in all seven North Bengal district from 6.a.m.(to 6 p.m) today, he said  except some government buses,no private  vehicles plied anywhere to provide a deserted look everywhere. 

Once again  reiterating the party’s demand for a CBI probe into the death of Hemtabad MLA, the BJP  state party Chief said while they submitted a memorandum  in support of their demand to the Governor yesterday, a similar memorandum was submitted to the President today in New Delhi by  BJP All India President J P Nadda and others. 

“We have also handed over Rs one lakh to the wife of the slain leader for the last rites and promised to take care of the entire family,” Ghosh said and announced the party’s programme to demonstrate  in front of all police stations in the state tomorrow as part of its Jana Jagaran Programme.