Congress holds rally in Kolkata

The rally, however ended as a road blockade.

Demonstrating against several issues, including the deteriorating law and order situation and corruption in the state, protesters started three rallies to Nabanna from Rani Rasmoni Road area in Kolkata and from Santragachi and Howrah Station area in West Bengal's Howrah district.

They also had agenda to submit deputation to the Director General (DG) of WB Police G. M. P. Rajasekhar Reddy.

As DGP was not present at his office, he could not receive the deputation.

To maintain the law and order, a huge police force, including the  Rapid Action Force (RAF) and water cannon were deployed in the city.

Putting up barricades at several points, police stopped the rallies.

Meanwhile, few Congress leaders including Manas Bhunia, Somen Mitra, Pradeep Bhattacharya, Mausam Benazir Noor and Abu Hasem Khan Chowdhury joined the protest rally from Kolkata's Esplanade area led by WB Pradesh Congress Committee president Adhir Chowdhury.

As police stopped the rally, protesters blocked roads at Esplanade area for few hours. 

Protesters also burnt an effigy of chief minister Mamata Banerjee there.

The traffic of the central Kolkata was completely stopped during the blockade.

After a senior police officer went to the spot and received the deputation, Congress supporters withdrew their blockade.

Later Adhir Chowdhury told IBNS: "We held a successful protest march today. We have submitted our deputation to an ADG ranked officer. If the scenario of Bengal remains unchanged, we will go to bigger movements."

However, WB education minister Partha Chatterjee said, "Adhir Chowdhury and his Congress party played a drama today in the presence of few supporters."

(Reporting and image by Deepayan Sinha)