Thaindian News

Kolkata, July 21 (IANS) Commuters had a harrowing time Wednesday as large parts of Kolkata remained choked with Trinamool Congress’s grand rally in the heart of Kolkata drawing more than a million people.
Large parts of the city, including roads and important junctions, were closed since early Wednesday as processions from different parts of the city and the districts snaked their way to the venue at Esplanade.

The Howrah Bridge, an entry point to the city, was choc-a-bloc with people since 11 a.m. as processions covering the entire width of the bridge meandered along to listen to Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee.

The major arterial roads like S.N. Banerjee road, Chittaranjan Avenue and AJC Bose road also saw traffic snarls since 11 a.m.

The Chittaranjan Avenue-Mahatma Gandhi crossing in central Kolkata was virtually closed as vehicles carrying rallyists from the northern part of the city and Sealdah took over the road since morning.

“These meetings cause sheer harassment to the common people. These things have become part of the state,” said Manoj Roy, an office-goer.

Buses, taxis, cars and ambulances were stranded for several hours on roads at important junctions and roads. Several schools declared an early holiday to save their students from harassment.

On July 21, 1993, thirteen Youth Congress workers were killed in police firing during a march to Writers’ Buildings (the state secretariat). Mamata Banerjee was at the forefront of the agitation.

The Trinammol Congress commemorates July 21 as Martyrs’ Day to pay respect to the 13 Youth Congress activists.