Army dismantles TMC stage: CM Mamata cries foul; urges force to not 'play into BJP's hands'

NEW DELHI: The Army on Monday dismantled a stage erected by the Trinamool Congress near the Gandhi statue in Kolkata’s Maidan, where the party had been protesting alleged atrocities on Bengali-speaking migrant workers.

A defence official told PTI that the Army (Local military Authority, Kolkata) usually permits the events in the Maidan area for a duration of two days, as directed by the Supreme Court, but for three days, one needs permission from the ministry of defence.

"Permission for conduct of events was provided for two days. However, the stage has been put up for almost a month. Several reminders have been sent to the organisers for removal of the temporary structure. However, it was not removed," the defence official said.

He said that the city police officials were present at the site to ensure maintenance of law and order.

TMC chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused BJP of using Army as their toy and urged them to not be played in the hands of the Saffron party.

"I don't blame Army, just appeal to them to remain neutral and not play in hands of BJP: Mamata on dismantling of TMC's stage in Kolkata," Banerjee said and added, "Army should have consulted Kolkata Police before dismantling TMC's stage erected to protest 'harassment' of Bengal migrants."

TMC’s Kunal Ghosh alleged political targeting, accusing the Centre of “bringing in the Army after the ED and CBI,” and said the protest would shift to Rani Rashmoni Road.

The Maidan area is under the authority of the Indian Army, whose Eastern Command headquarters is situated nearby at Fort William.