Tension flared in Howrah on Tuesday as dozens of Civil Defence and Disaster Management volunteers were arrested during a protest march towards Nabanna, the West Bengal government’s administrative headquarters. The agitation, demanding permanent employment and better work conditions, turned confrontational after police blocked the protesters and prevented them from moving toward Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s protest site in Kolkata.
According to police sources, 64 protesters were detained after repeated clashes broke out between demonstrators and security personnel during the march. The volunteers had gathered to press for regularisation of their jobs, 26 working days per month, and guaranteed employment until the age of 60.
The protesters assembled near Howrah Metro Station around noon before beginning a march toward Nabanna. Carrying placards and shouting slogans, the group sought to reach the state secretariat to submit their demands directly to the government.
However, the march was stopped by police on Grand Foreshore Road, where barricades had been set up in advance to prevent protesters from approaching the administrative complex.
When demonstrators insisted on meeting the Chief Minister at Nabanna, police refused permission, citing security restrictions. The situation soon escalated as protesters began staging a demonstration at the barricade site.
At that point, the protesters announced that they would instead march toward Dharmatala’s Metro Channel, where Mamata Banerjee is currently holding a political sit-in. The announcement led to fresh tension, as police attempted to disperse the crowd and prevent them from advancing further.
As protesters tried to break through the barricades, scuffles broke out with police personnel. Officers from Shibpur Police Station then moved in and detained several demonstrators. Many were taken away in prison vans as police brought the situation under control.
This is not the first time Civil Defence and Disaster Management volunteers have taken to the streets over employment concerns. A similar protest had taken place late last year with the same demands for job security and regularised service conditions.
Tuesday’s protest once again highlighted the growing frustration among temporary personnel working in emergency response services, many of whom say they have been serving for years without stable employment benefits.
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