Left Front cadre and supporters fought pitched battles with the police on the Capital’s main streets and suburbs leading to Nabanna, the State Secretariat, on Monday.

The Left Front had decided to opt for a ‘Nabanna March’ to protest against various issues, including corruption in governance by the ruling Trinamool Congress. The various peasant wings of the Left parties had also joined in, demanding fair price for farmers’ produce.

The entire Left leadership — including CPI(M) Politburo members Mohammed Salim, Surjya Kanta Mishra and Biman Bose — hit the streets to take part in the demonstration.

However, things turned violent as police put up barricades and guard walls to push back the protesters.

As the Left cadre resorted to brick-batting, police lathi-charged, used tear gas shells and water canons to disperse the crowds.

Apart from several senior Left leaders, police officials also suffered injuries.

Chaos in the city The demonstration expectedly left several parts of central Kolkata, that include important areas like Rani Rashmoni Road, Hastings, Mayo Road and so on, parlysed for hours.

Traffic movement was also restricted along thoroughfares approaching the city from the suburbs. All roads leading to the State Secretariat were heavily barricaded.

Incidentally, Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee and senior officials of the administration were not in town during the agitation. Banerjee was in Birbhum district to attend an administrative meeting. Left Front Chairman Biman Bose condemned the arrest of Left Front lawmakers and demanded their “unconditional release” and accused the police of committing “excesses” to thwart the march.

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