Heated TMC-BJP face-off erupts at Kolkata:BJP workers raise ‘chor chor’ slogans, Mamata says, she will move to Calcutta HC

Political tensions escalated in Kolkata on Tuesday as workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clashed near the Ballygunge Phari, during a protest over the alleged Baruipur minor rape and murder case. Political clash erupts during protest march According to reports, TMC workers were holding a protest march when a group of BJP supporters walked past the procession. BJP workers allegedly raised “chor, chor” (“thief”) slogans at the TMC march, triggering a heated exchange. ‘ Chor, chor’ slogans trigger heated confrontation The verbal altercation soon escalated into pushing, jostling, and physical scuffles between workers of the two parties. Witnesses also claimed that the song “Machh Chor” (Fish Thief) was played during the confrontation, further intensifying tensions. Police quickly restore peace Police personnel deployed at the spot intervened and brought the situation under control. No serious injuries or arrests were immediately reported. The clash comes amid heightened political tensions following the alleged rape and murder of a minor in Baruipur on July 5, which triggered widespread protests, violence and political accusations across West Bengal. High Court allowed rally with conditions The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday set aside a Kolkata Police communication denying permission to the Mamata Banerjee-aligned Trinamool Youth Congress (TMYC) to hold a protest rally in south Kolkata on July 8. The court allowed the opposition camp to organise the rally, subject to several conditions. Court modified route to reduce disruption Justice Saugata Bhattacharya modified the proposed route of the rally. Instead of ending at Lansdowne Market on Sarat Bose Road, the march was directed to conclude at Hazra Crossing to minimise inconvenience to the public. The rally was scheduled to begin from Ballygunge Phari Crossing and proceed along Hazra Road. The court also revised the rally timing to 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, instead of the originally proposed 3 pm to 6 pm. The bench prohibited the use of loudspeakers and permitted only handheld microphones during the procession. Only handheld microphones were permitted It further directed the organisers to keep one flank of the rally route open to ensure uninterrupted vehicular movement. The court also capped participation at 1,000 people and directed organisers to disperse the crowd immediately after the rally concluded at its designated endpoint.