Kolkata faced significant traffic disruptions on Thursday as supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) took to the streets in protest. The demonstrations were a direct response to searches conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at two key locations linked to the political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC).
ED's Twin Searches Spark Political Firestorm
The central investigative agency, the Enforcement Directorate, carried out simultaneous operations on Thursday morning. One search was at the I-PAC office located in Sector V, the city's IT hub. The other was conducted at the Loudon Street residence of Pratik Jain, a director of the firm. The ED's action, part of an ongoing investigation, continued for several hours, drawing immediate condemnation from the Trinamool Congress.
Trinamool Supporters Hit the Streets in Protest
Alleging an "attempt at data theft" by the central agency, Trinamool Congress workers and supporters organized rallies across various parts of Kolkata. The party has consistently framed such actions by central agencies as politically motivated attacks against the opposition. The protests were vocal and visible, with groups gathering at major intersections and thoroughfares, leading to a slowdown in vehicular movement.
Traffic Chaos Grips Key City Crossings
The immediate and tangible impact of the political protests was felt by Kolkata's commuters. Traffic slowed down to a crawl in multiple pockets of the city, especially around major crossings where protestors had gathered. To manage the situation and prevent a complete gridlock, the Kolkata Police had to implement contingency measures. A police official stated that they opened up extra channels and used the opposite lane to keep vehicles moving and ensure traffic did not come to a complete standstill.
The incident underscores the tense political climate in West Bengal, where actions by central agencies often trigger swift and sizable street-level reactions from the ruling party. The focus now shifts to the findings, if any, from the ED's searches and the potential political and legal ramifications that may follow.
