ISF members during clashes with police after a rally in Kolkata on January 21, 2023 | Photo Credit: PTI
Violence broke out in Bhangar and Kolkata in South 24 Parganas district on Saturday when supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) clashed with the Trinamool Congress and the police. Supporters of the ISF had gathered in Bhangar on the morning of January 21, 2023, to participate in a rally in Kolkata to celebrate the party’s foundation day, when violence broke out during clashes between supporters of the two sides.
ISF supporters alleged that Trinamool Congress members led by Arbul Islam attacked them. For several minutes, supporters of both the sides pelted stones at each other and chased each other with sticks and rods. Shops and commercial establishments were also attacked in Bhangar.
Violence broke out in Bhangar when ISF supporters led by its MLA Naushad Siddiqui reached the rally site. Mr. Siddiqui and ISF supporters staged a protest demanding Arbul Islam’s arrest. The situation turned volatile and soon ISF supporters blocked traffic. There was chaos for about half an hour till the police personnel reached the spot.
Police resorted to lathicharge and lobbed tear gas shells in an attempt to disperse the crowd that disrupted traffic. The police also dragged Mr. Siddiqui in a vehicle and later arrested him. The Esplanade looked like a war zone with pitched battles between police and ISF supporters. ISF supporters also attacked a police control room.
“Some of his supporters started attacking the police, after which we had to use mild force and tear gas shells. 17 people, including Naushad Siddiqui, have been arrested and charged with assault on police personnel, damage to public property, brick-pelting and rioting,” Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goel told reporters. The commissioner said 19 policemen, including senior officers, were injured in the violence.
The violence has also created a political wave. The ISF, set up by Furfura Sharif Imam Abbas Siddiqui ahead of the 2021 assembly elections, has the only non-Trinamool and BJP MLAs in the West Bengal assembly. Mr. Siddiqui, who is the brother of Abbas Siddiqui, represents the Bhangar assembly seat. The ISF had forged an alliance with the Left and the Congress for the 2021 assembly elections. There have been reports of clashes between ISF and Trinamool in Bhangar many times before.
Following Saturday’s violence, BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition Shubhendu Adhikari urged ISF leaders including Naushad Siddiqui to join hands and fight the Trinamool Congress.