Siliguri, 01st June: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha staged a ‘gherao’ of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) over ongoing drinking water issues, leading to widespread tension and clashes with the police.
On Saturday, BJP Mahila Morcha workers and supporters marched from Baghajatin Park to the municipal corporation, carrying clay pots on their heads and effigy of Mayor Gautam Deb on their hands. Tensions escalated when the protesters attempted to burn the effigy in front of the Municipal Corporation. Police intervened, resulting in scuffles and chaos. The protesters expressed their anger by breaking the clay pots before the situation was brought under control by the police.
Dabgram-Fulbari MLA Sikha Chatterjee, along with other leaders, participated in the protest. Chatterjee stated that many residents had fallen ill due to contaminated water from the SMC and accused the police of assaulting Mahila Morcha supporters. She also demanded the resignation of Mayor Gautam Deb.
In response, SMC Deputy Mayor Ranjan Sarkar accused various political parties of misleading the public and assured that efforts were underway to resolve the drinking water crisis.