Kolkata, June 10: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday observed a bandh in the Basirhat sub-division in West Bengal to protest against the killing of their party men in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district two days ago. Due to the call for a bandh, shops and malls remained shut in Basirhat. BJP workers observed 'Black Day' and staged a protest on the railway tracks and blocking rail traffic at the Bhyabla station in Basirhat.

BJP workers sat on the railway tracks for hours, disrupting train movements. The party called for a bandh in the Basirhat sub-division alleging inaction by the West Bengal Police and administration against killings of BJP workers allegedly by Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters. A BJP delegation was also stopped by the police from bringing the bodies of two of its slain workers from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district to Kolkata. No Democracy in West Bengal, Says BJP Leader Mukul Roy.

Meanwhile, West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee government has told the centre that "firm and appropriate actions" were initiated in case of a few "stray post-poll clashes" in the state. The state government's statement in response to Union Home Ministry's advisory issued on Sunday regarding continuing violence that came in the form of a letter signed by Chief Secretary Malay Kumar De has claimed that the clashes were perpetrated by "some anti-social elements".

The Union Home Ministry advisory had expressed "deep concern" over continuing violence and directed the state government to uphold law and order, peace and public tranquillity. The advisory was issued in the aftermath of political clashes in North 24 Parganas district's Sandeshkhali that left four people dead since Saturday. Clashes broke out between TMC and BJP workers in Sandeshkhali's Hatgachi area over the removal of saffron party flags on Saturday afternoon.

The state government also denied the charge in the advisory that there was a "failure on the part of the law enforcement machinery of the state to maintain the rule of law and inspire confidence among people". (With agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 10, 2019 11:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).