A BJP supporter died in Siliguri after hundreds of party workers and policemen battled on the streets of north Bengal’s biggest city for nearly three hours on Monday. The clashes took place during BJP’s march on Uttarkanya, the state secretariat in the city. BJP politicians alleged that Ullen Roy (44) died of blows from police lathis and pellet wounds. The party has called a 12-hour bandh in north Bengal on Tuesday and demanded “President’s Rule” in the state. Bengal police officials denied that a lathi-charge was carried out or firearms used.
Trinamool Congress accused BJP of using violence as “a political weapon” in the run-up to the 2021 state election.