Auto ban: protests turn violent

At 3 pm, some miscreants set a state government bus on fire the Hazra crossing. This happened soon after police began seizing autos at the spot. The east-bound CSTC bus no 33 was standing at a traffic signal when around four to five youths boarded the bus and asked the passengers to vacate the vehicle.

According to eye-witnesses, they beat up the driver and hurled abuses before throwing him off the bus and setting the vehicle on fire. Simultaneously, around 150 protestors gathered under the Taratola flyover and blocked the road. Shouting slogans against the ban, they set the cable roll on fire, which was lying on the road. The police had to come in to avoid traffic disruptions.

At 3.30 pm, a group of protestors pelted stones and vandalised a government bus number S 31 near Tollygunge phari. Around 4.30 pm, police started a crackdown on auto stands in and around Rashbehari Avenue crossing. A scuffle broke out between the auto owners and the police.

At the same time, Trinamool trade union leader Sobhondeb Chattopadhyay was addressing the protestors. Around this time there was another rally by CITU supporters. A violent clash ensued between the two groups as both pelted stones at each other. When police tried to chase them, they entered Sadananda Road and Pratapaditya Road.

The group vandalised and damaged three government buses. What followed after were violent clashes between the police and protestors. The police had to resort to

lathicharge to disperse the mob and Rapid Action Force was called in to bring the situation under control. The police have arrested 15 people so far in the incidents.

8220;One bus was set on fire and another four were damaged. The situation is now under control,8221; said P K Chattopadhyay. Joint Commissioner of Police Administration.

Incidentally, though auto-rickshaws were seized from various pockets of the city, police had to face resistance only in south Kolkata, specifically at those places which are known to be Trinamool Congress stronghold. Both the auto stand unions in Rashbehari and Hazra are backed by the party. Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee visited Pratapaditya Road and passed the buck on the administration.

8220;South Kolkata is targeted every time anything happens in the city. This is the single-handed work of CPM cadres and CITU members,8221; Banerjee said.

Till the end of the day, police sources said around 25 autos have been seized from areas like New Market, Taratola, Phoolbagan and Girish Park.

8220;At present, the police are only seizing autos without no valid papers. Police action will need to be expedited,8221; Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said.

He also hinted that the government could appeal to the High Court for an extension of the deadline.