Anti-CAA protests in Bengal ‘small incidents’: Mamata

Kolkata, Dec 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday described the widespread violence related to the protests against the new citizenship law (CAA) in the state as a "couple of small incidents".

The Trinamool Congress chief put the responsibility for the vandalism and torching of railway premises on the Centre, saying those areas come under the jurisdiction of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and not the state police.

Criticising the railways, she said: "Because of some small incidents, they have withdrawn train services for three days. All long distance trains have been cancelled."

She requested the Central government to resume train movement, and pointed out that station premises come under the jurisdiction of the RPF -- a force under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Railways.

"I request the central governed to resume train services. A couple of small incidents have taken place. But station premises are under the jurisdiction of RPF, not under our jurisdiction.

"If your police cannot give protection, that is your responsibility, not mine," she said before leading a very large Trinamool Congress procession from Jadavpur 8B bus stand in the city's southern outskirts to Jadubabu's Bazar .

However, Banerjee said her government has lent a helping hand to contain the violence by arresting 600-700 people.

Railway premises and property including stations, ticket counters, platform shades, panel rooms and at least 15 trains have been vandalised, looted and torched by the anti-CAA protestors, who also blockaded rail tracks and highways throwing train and vehicular movement haywire for four days since Friday.

Source: IANS