A scuffle broke out between Left supporters and policemen here over holding of a sit-in demonstration against Centre's policies at the Rani Rasmoni Road today.
The scuffle started as Left supporters claimed that the venue alloted to them for their agitation after 2:30 pm was still being occupied by another group and tried to move past the barricade, prompting police to stop them. Special Commissioner of Police (II) Soumen Mitra was present on the spot.
In the melee, former West Bengal minister and RSP state Secretary Kshiti Gowami fell down after being pushed from behind and suffered injuries, LF sources claimed.
Left Front supporters alleged that several of them were injured in the scuffle. Left Front Chairman Biman Bose pacified the Front supporters. "We wanted to hold our sit-in demonstration against the Centre peacefully but the police instigated us. We understand that the West Bengal government is in favour of anti-people policies of the Centre," Bose said.
The Left had earlier decided to hold a sit-in demonstration against the policies of the Centre in front of Victoria House in central Kolkata even if the police did not give them permission. However, last night the Left decided to shift the venue to Rani Rashmoni Road as requested by the police. Left leaders claimed they were assured by the police that the Rani Rasmoni venue would be available for them after 2:30 pm. The sit-in finally took place for two hours.
