Bulldozer action in Kolkata: Tensions escalates as TMC office targeted, meat shops razed
PTC News Desk: Tensions escalated in central Kolkata on Tuesday night after bulldozers razed many structures in the city's iconic New Market including Trinamool Congress (TMC) office, triggering panic among traders and forcing shops to shut abruptly.
Violence erupted near New Market in Kolkata, where the All India Trinamool Congress alleged that its union office was the main target and was completely demolished. Visuals of the damage and chaos spread rapidly, triggering panic among shopkeepers in one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs.
As the situation escalated, traders shut their shops and fled. Police rushed to the spot, and security patrols have since been intensified in and around the area to restore order and prevent further unrest.
Senior TMC leader Derek O'Brien also alleged that the demolition was carried out under official watch.
“In central Kolkata, near New Market. With police permission. As part of victory celebrations, a bulldozer was brought in to demolish meat shops. CAPF standing around. THE BJP FOR YOU,” TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien said on his social media. He shared a video of a bulldozer taking on the structures outside New Market.
The incident comes amid heightened political tensions following recent election results in West Bengal. Reacting sharply, Mahua Moitra shared a video on X, taking a swipe at the ruling narrative, writing: “Kolkata’s historic New Market. Bengalis revelling in Parivartan,” referencing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s poll slogan.
In a strongly worded statement, the TMC accused the BJP of unleashing violence in central Kolkata, alleging that its supporters vandalised shops and a party office. The party described the incident as “brazen hooliganism and gundagardi,” claiming that local businesses were targeted, causing widespread fear among traders.
The TMC also accused senior BJP leaders, including Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, of enabling such actions. It further alleged that central forces were told to “stand down” during the unrest—claims that have not been independently verified.
- PTC NEWS
