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Key Points

A dramatic confrontation unfolded in Kolkata when local police seized an Army truck for allegedly dangerous driving near the Police Commissioner's convoy. The incident occurred just a day after Army jawans dismantled a Trinamool Congress protest stage, heightening tensions between state and military authorities. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously accused the Centre of misusing the Army during the stage incident. The Army truck was eventually taken to Hare Street Police Station after a tense standoff.

Key Points: Army Truck Seized in Kolkata Amid Trinamool Police Tensions

  • Kolkata Traffic Police stopped Army truck near Police Commissioner's vehicles
  • Incident follows Trinamool stage dismantling by Army jawans
  • Truck seized and taken to Hare Street Police Station
  • Tensions escalate between state administration and military
2 min read

Kolkata Police seize Army truck for 'dangerous driving', a day after jawans dismantled Trinamool stage

Kolkata Police seize Army vehicle near Writers' Buildings after dangerous driving incident, escalating tensions between state and military authorities

"We stopped as we were driving slowly, as there was a turn. - Army Jawan"

Kolkata, Sep 2

The Kolkata Traffic Police on Tuesday seized an Indian Army truck in central Kolkata for "dangerous driving while moving close" to Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma's vehicles.

The incident took place in front of Writers' Buildings (former state secretariat) in BBD Square and near Lalbazar (Kolkata Police headquarters).

According to the Kolkata Traffic Police, the Army truck, which came from Fort William (the Indian Army's Eastern Command headquarters), was driving dangerously while passing by the vehicles of City Police Commissioner Manoj Verma. The truck was on its way to the passport office.

"Despite asking the driver to slow down, the Army truck continued to drive dangerously. The Kolkata Police Commissioner was going to Lalbazar, and his vehicles were behind the Army truck. When the traffic police asked the driver to slow down, the driver did not listen and continued driving dangerously. It was that time, the vehicle was stopped," said a senior officer of Kolkata Traffic Police.

After being stopped, the Army truck was parked outside St. Andrew's Church in BBD Bagh. The Army personnel, who were in the truck, said the incident had been reported to Fort William.

"We stopped as we were driving slowly, as there was a turn. We took a right turn, but the police said we were driving dangerously as several vehicles, including the city police commissioner's cars, were behind. We were stopped and are now being taken to a police station. We have informed about the incident to higher officials," said the Army jawan who was riding the truck.

Later, officers from Hare Street Police Station reached the spot and seized the Army truck. The truck was taken to Hare Street Police Station.

The development came a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre of "misusing" the Indian Army when its jawans dismantled a stage, erected by Trinamool Congress to protest against alleged atrocities on Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states.

The Indian Army on Monday dismantled the Trinamool's stage erected beside the Gandhi statue in the Maidan area in central Kolkata, which falls under the Army's control. However, as soon as the development was reported, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the spot and protested against the Army's move. Seeing the chief minister at the spot, Indian Army jawans stopped dismantling the stage and left the area.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a Kolkatan, I'm embarrassed. The police commissioner's convoy could have waited instead of creating drama. Army personnel have more important work than dealing with traffic egos.
A
Aman W
Both sides need to show restraint. Army should follow traffic rules, but police should also respect our armed forces. This tit-for-tat politics is not good for anyone.
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Sarah B
The timing is suspicious - just after the stage incident. Seems like political retaliation rather than genuine traffic concern. Very disappointing to see institutions clashing like this.
Vikram M
Army jawans said they were driving slowly and taking a turn. Police should have better things to do than harass our soldiers. This is pure vendetta politics.
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Nisha Z
Why is the police commissioner's convoy more important than anyone else on the road? VIP culture needs to end. Everyone should follow same rules equally.

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