Police cuts short CPI(M) rally

The Kolkata Police today cut short a CPI(M) rally from the central part of the city to Hazra crossing in potest against demonetisation, Saradha and Narada scams among others, arguing that if allowed the rally would have caused huge traffic problem.
According to Kolkata Police Addl Commissioner of Police (III) and DC Headquarters Supratim Sarkar, the party wanted to hold the rally from 6.30 PM to 8 PM starting from Y channel to Harza and they were not given the permission because it could have led to a traffic hazard.
"They (CPI(M) was told that they can hold the rally in the afternoon but not at the time they had requested. If the rally was allowed at their requested time that could have led to a huge traffic problem because it is the time when most of the office-goers return home," Sarkar said adding that the party was reluctant to hold the rally in the afternoon.

"We had told them that the rally would be blocked if they want to move towards Hazra," he said.
In fact, the rally was stopped at the SN Banerjee Road when it tried to proceed left and take the JL Nehru Road to move towards Hazra, Sarkar said.
"After the rally was stopped at the SN Banerjee Road, they (CPIM leaders) later on agreed to proceed to the RR Avenue to hold their demonstration... We have arrested nobody," Sarkar said.
Senior party leaders like Biman Bose, Surya Kanta Mishra, Sujan Chakraborty, Rabin Deb were present in the rally called by the CPI(M) Kolkata Zilla Committee to protest against several issues like demonetisation, Saradha and Narada scams among others.