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On May 22 (Monday), city police indiscriminately beat journalists covering a political rally.
Today, a few hours ahead of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) massive gherao of the city police headquarters here, jackets with “Press” written on it are being distributed to scribes.
According to senior police officials, the jacket is being given as a counter measure to identify scribes from political activists and party supporters in case the situation turns violent.
These yellow or green colour jackets are being distributed from three points in Central Kolkata. And sources say, over 200 such jackets have already been distributed.
It may be mentioned that over 20 journalists – including camera personnel from NDTV and a reporter of The Hindu – were beaten up by the city police on Monday (May 22); while covering the Left Front’s protest march to the State Secretariat. Journalists had also taken out a protest march on Tuesday (May 23) and Wednesday (May 24) demanding action against the errant police officials.
( Video by Debasish Bhaduri)
Chaos in city
City life, especially in parts of central and western Kolkata and the central business district, is expected to come to a standstill from Thursday afternoon.
The BJP is demanding the arrest of Imam Noor-ur-Rehman Barkati – who shot to fame by issuing fatwas against many, including one against the Prime Minister – as one of its many points for gheraoing the Kolkata Police headquarters, also called Lalbazaar.
At least three rallies headed by Kailash Vijayvargiya, National General Secretary, BJP; Dilip Ghosh – President of the State unit of the party; and Rahul Sinha, National Secretary of the party, are expected to converge at Lalbazaar this afternoon.
A huge police force, including the RAF (rapid action force), has been deployed.
Mamata–Modi meeting
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, is in Delhi where she will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi today afternoon.
Issues such as the prevention of erosion along the banks of the river Ganga and release of Central funds are set to be discussed.
Banerjee will also be meeting Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, to discuss a proverbial consensus candidate for the post of President (of India).
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