BJP’s 'Nabanna Chalo' March: Firearms recovered from BJP worker in Howrah Maidan

The BJP's Nabanna campaign rally started on Thursday (October 8) afternoon. BJP workers and supporters from different districts started coming to Howrah from Wednesday (October 7) night. Things turned feisty as BJP workers tried to breakdown the barrier put in place by the West Bengal Police. Meanwhile, firearms were reportedly recovered from a BJP worker at Howrah Maidan. Sounds of crude bombs were also heard as supporters clashed with the police. The CRPF’s Rapid Action Force was also present at the spot.  

Kolkata: The Kona Expressway and Howrah Maidan were completely closed on Thursday (October 8) morning due to the BJP's Nabanna campaign. BJP workers and supporters from different districts started coming to Howrah from Wednesday (October 7) night.

The protest march started at 12 noon from four different points -- state BJP's headquarters on the Central Avenue, Hastings, Howrah Maidan, and Santragachi.

Things turned feisty as BJP workers tried to breakdown the barrier put in place by the West Bengal Police. Meanwhile, firearms were reportedly recovered from a BJP worker at Howrah Maidan.

Sounds of crude bombs were also heard as supporters clashed with the police. The CRPF’s Rapid Action Force was also present at the spot.

Huge contingent of police and rapid action force (RAF) have been deployed in and around Nabanna area to control any untoward incident during the protest march.

BJP youth arm activists staged a protest programme near Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence at Kalighat earlier in the day chanting 'Jai Shree Ram' slogans. BJP supporters were also stopped at Dankuni in Kolkata's neighboring Hooghly district. The police had to resort to mild baton charge to disperse the gathering.

The protest march is part of the BJP's strategy and final push against the ruling Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal, as the state assembly election is due in April-May next year.