BJP's West Bengal bandh live updates

ANI photo

Kolkata: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a 12-hour 'Bangla bandh' on Wednesday to protest against the Islampur school violence in North Dinajpur which led to the death of two students in clashes with police. Security arrangements have been beefed up, with a deployment of around 4,000 security personnel across the city.

The Trinamool Congress government has vowed to take stern action against those trying to enforce the bandh, while a combative BJP warned of 'repercussions' if the ruling party attempted to foil the stir. 

Trouble had brewed at Daribhit High School in Islampur over the recruitment of Urdu teachers as the protesting students said they needed Science and English teachers instead.

The students and the locals had stopped two newly-recruited teachers from entering the school on Thursday, demanding that all vacant teaching posts be filled, resulting in a clash.

The BJP alleged that ITI student Rajesh Sarkar and third-year college student Tapas Barman were killed in police firing while the police denied the claim.

26 September 2018

14:14 IST

West Bengal: Visuals from Islampur as BJP has called for a 12-hour statewide bandh over the death 2 students in a clash with police in North Dinajpur pic.twitter.com/eObxoSkrVC

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018

10:57 IST

BJP MP Roopa Ganguly distributes leaflets in Kolkata, over the death 2 students in a clash with police in North Dinajpur.

West Bengal: BJP MP Roopa Ganguly distributes leaflets in Kolkata, over the death 2 students in a clash with police in North Dinajpur; #visuals from Gariahat crossing. BJP has called for a 12-hour statewide bandh over the incident today pic.twitter.com/nuJ9C7j0v1

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018

10:56 IST

Clashes broke out between BJP and TMC workers in Barasat when the BJP workers were trying to obstruct movement of trains.

Barasat: Clashes broke out between BJP and TMC workers when the BJP workers were trying to obstruct movement of trains. BJP has called for a statewide bandh today over the death of two students in a clash with police in North Dinajpur. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/mSq37bOlLa

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018

10:55 IST

TMC holds a protest against the 12-hour statewide bandh called by BJP over the death of two students in a clash with police in North Dinajpur.

Kolkata: TMC holds protest against the 12-hour statewide bandh called by BJP over the death of two students in a clash with police in North Dinajpur. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/iOOfLXyPwM

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018

10:06 IST

Police have arrested 24 bandh supporters from Bagdogra and Naxalbari areas in Siliguri.

Siliguri: Police have arrested 24 bandh supporters from Bagdogra and Naxalbari areas. BJP has called for a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal today, in protest against the death of 2 students in a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/PtIUx7xAqf

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018

08:31 IST

Howrah: Security increased in the city in view of the 12-hour bandh called by BJP in West Bengal today, in protest against the death of 2 students in a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur. Buses vandalised, bus drivers wear helmets for safety pic.twitter.com/8M8asSIpDc

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018

08:31 IST

Howrah: Train movement obstructed by protesters on Howrah-Bardhaman Main Line. BJP has called for a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal today in protest against the death of 2 students following a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur. pic.twitter.com/nHdR5fP5Ui

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018

08:31 IST

Train movement obstructed by protesters on Howrah-Bardhaman Main Line, Sealdah-Barasat Bongaon section of Eastern Railway Sealdah Division, Sealdah-Diamond Harbour Section and Bandel Katwa section on Eastern Railways Howrah Division.

08:30 IST

Drivers of government buses wear helmets in Cooch Behar while driving after some of the buses were vandalised by protesters.

Cooch Behar: Drivers of govt buses wear helmets while driving after some of the buses were vandalised by protesters today. BJP has called for a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal today in protest against the death of a student following a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur. pic.twitter.com/Koe7sbcrm0

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018

08:29 IST

Protesters vandalise government buses and torch tyres in Midnapore.

West Bengal: Protesters vandalise government buses and torch tyres in Midnapore. BJP has called for a 12-hour statewide bandh today in protest against the death of a student who died following a clash with police in North Dinajpur's Islampur. pic.twitter.com/qBn4SHX0Dx

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018

08:28 IST

The opposition BJP took out rallies in the city and the state on Tuesday in support of the 'Bangla bandh', while the ruling TMC countered it with processions denouncing it. The BJP claimed that the shutdown would be a complete success as the people of Islampur, where the clash took place on Thursday over the appointment of an Urdu teacher and the entire state are fed up with the 'misrule of TMC'.