2007 Kolkata riots

The 2007 Kolkata riots took place in Kolkata on 21 November 2007, when anti-Taslima protesters under the banner of All India Minority Forum blockaded major portions of central Kolkata and resorted to arson and violence.[1] The West Bengal government deployed the army in the afternoon of that day.

Background

On 17 August, Muslim clerics in Kolkata issued death warrant against Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen.[2]

Events

Several media persons from television channels were hurt due to stone pelting. The riots set fire to two party offices of the ruling party Communist Party of India (Marxist). The violence led to severe traffic snarls during the morning rush hour in Sealdah, Mullickbazar, C.I.T. Road, Alimuddin Street, Puddapukur, Moulali and Entally.

As the streets of Kolkata turned into a combat zone, the State Government asked for six columns of army. At 3 PM, two columns of army, each comprising 100 to 120 soldiers staged flag march in the city.[3] Four more columns were preparing to move soon.

Aftermath

Two months after the incident, Dharmamukta Manabbadi Mancha, an organization of secular Muslims, held a press conference at the Press Club in Kolkata in protest of the expulsion of Taslima Nasreen from Kolkata.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Army deployed after Calcutta riot". BBC. November 21, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Kolkata's clerics threaten Taslima Nasreen". Reuters. August 17, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Army out in Kolkata after street riots over Nandigram, Taslima". TwoCircles.net. November 21, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  4. ↑ "'Secular' Muslims want Taslima back". Sify News. January 15, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
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