Former BJP MP Rupa Ganguly was arrested and taken to the Kolkata police headquarters, Lal Bazaar, following her protest at the Bansdroni police station on Wednesday night. Ganguly was demanding the release of the BJP leader arrested in connection with the tragic road accident. She was charged with obstructing police during the demonstration.
Bandroni accident sparked outrage
Protests followed the death of a Class IX student while riding a bike outside an academy in south Kolkata's Bansdroni area on October 9. The incident happened at around 7 am, and he was rushed to hospital but the 15-year-old was declared dead. Angered by the accident, residents—allegedly due to the poor condition of the road—vandalised the excavator involved.
Community repression and police conflict
As the tension escalated, residents met the local Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor and accused him of negligence. Protesters blocked roads and even held the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Patuli police station hostage for several hours. In a commotion, the protesters pushed the OC into muddy water.
Ganguly's protests and police response
Ganguly's protest at the Bansdroni police station demanded the immediate arrest of the excavator driver and questioned the delay in the arrest of the accused. He accused the TMC of using "goons" to obstruct justice. South Suburban Division Deputy Commissioner Bidisha Kalita confirmed that several police officers fell ill as a result of the protests and vowed to restore law and order.
Arrests and ongoing investigations
BJP leader Ruby Mondal and four others were also arrested for the violence. Roopa Ganguly was also arrested after nearly 14 hours of protest. Police continue to search for the driver of the excavator, who fled the scene after the incident. The drainage system in the Bansdroni area is currently being repaired under the Kolkata Environmental Improvement and Investment Program (KEIPP), and construction of the road has been underway since 2017, according to reports.
(Reported by Onkar Sarkar)
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