Police Stops TMC Led Protest Rally in Durgapur

DAYA News Bureau, 24 August 2022: Locals of Ward No. 28 and 29 of Durgapur Municipality Corporation (DMC) protesting against a private factory in Durgapur under the labour union of TMC were stopped from staging their demonstration by the police yesterday (23^rd August).

On Tuesday, Trinamool workers of Ward No. 28 and 29, along with a section of local residents, started a protest march from Sagarbhanga Majher More shouting slogans with the party flag to the private factory in Sagarbhanga of Durgapur that produces graphite electrodes and various carbon products. The protest march was organized demanding jobs in Police from Coke Oven police station came and stopped the procession midway. Trinamool activists expressed their anger about it.

According to the police and local sources, the youth of the area at times protested to demand the employment of locals in this factory. In September 2020 and January 2021, Trinamool workers were accused of expelling several people from the factory on charges of ‘outsiders’. Later the police came and handled the situation. Locals protested in front of the factory for 21 days under the leadership of Trinamool to demand the employment of locals, which was called off after the assurance from the administration; however nothing positive transpired after that.

The people who joined the procession also complained that they are suffering from the pollution of the factory. Dust is flying as the factory vehicles move through the road. The road is collapsing under the pressure of heavy vehicles. They are suffering from all those problems, while people are being brought in from outside while doing the work.

Sources in the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate informed that, as the procession did not have prior permission, action was taken. A representative of the protesters went to the factory and spoke to the authorities.

An official of the factory, who did not wish to be named, claimed that there was a positive discussion. Political observers said that with election to the Durgapur Municipality Corporation round the corner this is another exercise of the ruling Trinamool Congress to strengthen the gloomy situation prevailing after the arrest of its two heavyweight leaders Partha Chatterjee and Anubrata Mondal .