26 Sep 2018 | 02:51 AM UTC
India: Strike planned in West Bengal September 26
A general strike (bandh) is expected in West Bengal on September 26 to protest student deaths; heightened security presence anticipated
Event
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called for a bandh, or general strike, in West Bengal to begin at 06:00 (local time) on Wednesday, September 26, and continue until 18:00. State government officials deployed 4000 security personnel in Uttar Dinajpur district, where two students recently died in violent protests in Islampur. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out, particularly in Islampur and Uttar Dinajpur district.
Context
Two students died on September 20 during an incident involving the hiring of a teacher at a school in Islampur. Protesting students blocked a recently hired teacher from entering the school, leading to violent clashes with security forces. The BJP, the opposition party in West Bengal, blamed the deaths on the police and called for a 12-hour bandh in the state.
Advice
Individuals in West Bengal are advised to anticipate disruptions to daily life, expect a heightened security presence, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, and avoid all public gatherings as a precaution.
