5 days ago
Camac Street Billboard Clash Brings 13 Arrests, Three FIRs
Officials went to a Trinamool Congress office in Kolkata to remove a large billboard.
They said the billboard was unauthorised, illegal or dangerously placed.
Abhishek Banerjee questioned the first removal notice because it did not include a picture of the billboard.
Officials later returned with a revised notice and police protection.
Police said party supporters blocked the stairs and stopped officials from reaching the roof.
A scuffle followed between police and Trinamool supporters.
Police alleged that officials were attacked and that a woman police officer was subjected to force.
Trinamool leaders said the officials entered improperly and mistreated party workers and security staff.
Thirteen people were arrested, three cases were filed, and the billboard was eventually removed.
Kolkata Police arrested 13 people after a confrontation over removing a Trinamool Congress billboard at 9 Camac Street.
Three FIRs were filed at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station, with two naming Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien, Humayun Kabir, Baiswanar Chatterjee and others.
Police alleged obstruction, rioting, assaults on officials, threats, seizure of a government radio and force against a woman police officer.
Trinamool Congress leaders alleged that officials entered without a valid notice, mistreated party workers and assaulted Banerjee, O’Brien and women security staff.
The billboard was removed, while the Calcutta High Court declined to order its reinstatement and the 13 accused were remanded to judicial custody until September 3.
- Who
- Kolkata Police, Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials, Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien, other Trinamool Congress leaders and party supporters were involved.
- What
- A dispute over removing a rooftop Trinamool Congress billboard led to a scuffle, three FIRs and 13 arrests.
- Where
- The incident took place at 9 Camac Street in Central Kolkata, at a building housing Abhishek Banerjee’s office.
- When
- The confrontation began Thursday afternoon and continued into Thursday night; arrests and FIR details were announced on Friday.
- Why
- The Kolkata Municipal Corporation sought to remove a billboard it described as illegal, unauthorised or unsafe, while Trinamool leaders challenged the validity of the removal notice.
Police and civic authorities
Trinamool Congress leaders and supporters
Validity of the removal
Police and civic authorities
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation described the billboard as illegal, unauthorised or dangerously placed and sought police assistance to remove it.
Trinamool Congress leaders and supporters
Abhishek Banerjee argued that the initial notice was defective because it did not include a photograph of the billboard; Trinamool Congress called the operation illegal.
Conduct during the clash
Police and civic authorities
Police alleged that supporters blocked officials, formed human barriers, obstructed government work, assaulted personnel, issued threats and snatched a constable’s government-issued radio.
Trinamool Congress leaders and supporters
Trinamool Congress alleged that officials entered without a valid notice, pushed and heckled party workers and staff, and assaulted Banerjee, O’Brien and women security personnel.
Arrests and prosecution
Police and civic authorities
Police said the arrests and FIRs were based on complaints from police officers and the civic body and were needed to identify those involved.
Trinamool Congress leaders and supporters
Defence lawyers called the arrests politically motivated and said the accused had been peacefully protesting; Baiswanar Chatterjee alleged that people were rounded up arbitrarily.
Key facts
- Arrests
- Kolkata Police arrested 13 people in connection with the confrontation.
- FIRs
- Three FIRs were registered at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station.
- Named accused
- Two FIRs named Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien, Humayun Kabir, Baiswanar Chatterjee and others.
- Unknown accused
- A third FIR, based on a Park Street Police Station officer’s complaint, was filed against unidentified persons.
- Alleged offences
- The cases include alleged rioting, unlawful assembly, obstruction and assault of public servants, criminal intimidation, seizure of government equipment and force against a woman police officer.
- Billboard outcome
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation workers reached the roof and dismantled the billboard.
- Court action
- The Calcutta High Court declined to order reinstatement of the billboard, and the 13 accused were remanded to judicial custody until September 3.
Quotes
Kolkata Police Officer
Police officer who provided details of the FIRs to PTI
“There was a hoarding which, under KMC norms, was illegal, and officials from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation went to remove it. Police assistance is usually sought in such cases, so local police accompanied them. The civic officials faced resistance and, since government officials were prevented from discharging their duties, a case was registered and an investigation initiated. We are analysing video footage to identify those involved.”
telegraphindia.com
“TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien and Humayun Kabir have been booked. One FIR was lodged based on a complaint by a KMC advertisement department official, while another was filed on the basis of a civic body requisition,”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
FIRs filed against Abhishek Banerjee, 2 TMC leaders over Kolkata office clash; 13 arrested
Trinamool billboard row: 13 arrested; three FIRs filed against Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien, others
Camac Street showdown escalates: 13 TMC activists arrested; Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien named in FIRs
Thirteen arrested after Abhishek Banerjee’s Camac Street office scuffle
Trinamool’s Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien booked over illegal signboard ruckus
Abhishek, Derek in Camac Street clash FIRs; police cite assault on officials and molestation of woman officer
Trinamool’s Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien booked for scuffle over removal of a party signboard
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