By IANS,
Kolkata : Protesting the central government’s decision to hike prices of petroleum products, West Bengal’s ruling Left Front gave a call for statewide shutdown Thursday even as the main opposition Trinamool Congress also called for shutdown the next day.
The city and state police Wednesday started making security arrangements for the two shutdowns.
“We have decided to send additional forces to vital areas across the state including markets, radio stations, the city airport and IT units on the outskirts of Kolkata,” West Bengal Inspector General of Police (law and order) Raj Kanojia told IANS here.
“Besides, we will see that the normal vehicular traffic is not hampered,” he added.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakraborty said: “The 12-hour shutdowns Thursday and Friday respectively are like any other shutdowns. All we have to ensure that nobody forces people to participate in the shutdowns. We are making necessary police arrangements.”
The Left Front called for a state-wide 12-hour shutdown from 6 a.m. Thursday, while the Trinamool Congress also called for a 12-hour shutdown Friday.
The price of diesel has been increased by Rs.3 per litre, of petrol by Rs.5 and that of cooking gas by Rs.50 per cylinder.