Uluberia rail blockade halts trains briefly, Sealdah station unaffected amid statewide Bandh protests

Supporters of the all-India strike called by Left-affiliated trade unions staged protests across parts of West Bengal on July 9. In Salt Lake’s Karunamoyee crossing, CPI(M) supporters blocked the road, leading to a scuffle with Bidhannagar Police. Several bandh supporters were detained. A train blockade was reported between Rishra and Konnagar stations, and in Howrah’s Uluberia, Left Front workers blocked railway tracks under the Uluberia Bridge. South Eastern Railway train services were halted for about 15 minutes until RPF and GRP cleared the tracks and restored operations.

In Domjur, CPI(M) workers reportedly attempted to stop buses, lorries, and force shops shut during a morning demonstration. Tension escalated after protestors allegedly tried to remove drivers from vehicles. A large police force and RAF reached the scene, and a lathi-charge was conducted. Two CPI(M) workers were injured and later detained by Domjur police. In Jadavpur, a protest led to tyre and effigy burning at the 8B bus stand. Fire spread to nearby shops and electrical wires but was quickly extinguished by police. Clashes also took place at Gangulibagan crossing, where police removed SFI’s All India General Secretary Srijan Bhattacharya from the spot. His shirt was torn during the scuffle, and he later claimed he was injured.

In Kolkata, Sealdah station and Gariahat saw no impact of the bandh, with passenger movement and local activity continuing as normal. INTUC Sevadal held a separate protest march from Lady Dufferin Hospital to Bowbazar, carrying gongs and bells to demand the withdrawal of new labour codes. The organisation described the demonstration as a symbolic protest against the central government’s labour policies.