Kolkata: In a major setback for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Kolkata Police on Tuesday imposed prohibitory orders for 60 days in the Dharmatala area, including the traditional venue of the party's annual July 21 Martyrs' Day rally. The restrictions, imposed citing intelligence inputs about possible violence and disruption to public order, cast uncertainty over the TMC's flagship political event.
The prohibitory order will remain in force from July 2 to August 30, effectively ruling out the possibility of either faction of the TMC holding the Martyrs' Day rally in front of Victoria House on Bentinck Street, near one of Kolkata's busiest intersections.
The development came a day after Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari criticised the TMC for insisting on the venue and suggested that the party shift the event to Brigade Parade Ground, a large open ground located nearby.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand, acting in his capacity as Executive Magistrate, issued the order on June 30.
The TMC has traditionally organised its annual July 21 Martyrs' Day rally to commemorate the 13 Youth Congress activists who were killed in police firing during a protest in Kolkata in 1993.
The event typically draws lakhs of supporters and serves as a platform for major political announcements by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, as well as high-profile defections from rival parties.
Reason behind police action
According to the order, the restrictions apply to areas under Bowbazar Police Station, Hare Street Police Station, and Headquarters Traffic Guard, stretching from KC Das Crossing to Victoria House and adjoining areas, excluding Bentinck Street.
Police said they had received credible intelligence indicating that violent demonstrations could occur in the area, potentially leading to a breach of peace, disruption of public order, and obstruction of vehicular traffic.
The order also prohibits unlawful assemblies of five or more persons, rallies, public meetings, processions, dharnas, and demonstrations. It further bans the carrying of lathis, weapons, or other dangerous objects, as well as any activity likely to disturb public tranquillity during the period.
A senior state government official said the restrictions were imposed as a preventive measure based on specific intelligence inputs.
"The objective is to ensure public safety, preserve peace, and prevent disruption to essential services and traffic movement in one of the city's busiest commercial and administrative areas," the official told PTI.
Earlier in the day, Commissioner Nand said Kolkata Police had not yet decided on the requests submitted by the two TMC factions to hold the July 21 rally at the venue.
"We have received two request letters (from two factions of the TMC). However, the provisions of Section 163 of the BNSS generally apply here. Since the location involves a main thoroughfare, permission for such meetings is typically not granted. Therefore, the matter is under consideration," he told reporters.
"However, due to the applicability of Section 163, we have not taken any action on the requests so far," Nand added.
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) empowers Executive Magistrates to issue preventive orders to avert public nuisance, danger to human life, or breaches of peace.
Nand also said Kolkata Police had registered a case against TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh, Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen, and senior party leader Baiswanar Chatterjee for allegedly obstructing traffic during a site inspection related to preparations for the July 21 programme on Sunday.
"A notice is being issued to them, and due legal process is being followed," he said.
Following its electoral defeat to the BJP, the TMC has witnessed several MPs, MLAs, and senior leaders joining the rebel faction led by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee.
Responding to the police order, former TMC Rajya Sabha MP Subhashis Chakraborty, speaking on behalf of the Mamata Banerjee camp, said, "We have not yet received any official communication from the police. Therefore, we will not comment on the matter at this stage."
Akhruzzaman, chief whip of the Ritabrata Banerjee faction in the Assembly, said his group would observe Martyrs' Day but would ensure that the programme did not inconvenience the public.
State BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya also reacted to the development.
"What can we say when the court did not give permission? We had to approach the court to secure permission for meetings and processions when the TMC was in power," he said.
The Calcutta High Court had recently issued a notice to the TMC over its proposed rally at Victoria House, citing an earlier 2018 order that prohibited public meetings at the location in violation of judicial directions.
