Kolkata: The first attempt by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to stage a protest in the city on Friday and another rally, called by Left-aligned students’ bodies, may have hit a roadblock as Kolkata Police on Thursday cited “pre-occupation with Ulta Rath processions” as a reason to ask the organisers to postpone their demonstrations.Till last reports came in, the CJP had hinted to Lalbazar that it was still considering deferring their rally, planned around 4 pm, though a final picture was yet to emerge. But the Left bodies have not yet called off their procession. A member of AISA, a Left wing students’ organisation, said they had not yet received any email from police, denying them the permission. “As of now, the rally is happening,” the member said.“The CJP rally was scheduled to start from College Street around 4 pm. The Left rally is planned to start around 2.30 pm from Sealdah and both will head to Esplanade. Also, the Iscon Ratha procession will cross SN Banerjee Road-Moulali-CIT Road between 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm,” said a police officer. “We cannot allow the students’ rallies as traffic will be severely hit.”Police confirmed that they received separate emails from the different organisations, seeking permissions. “But given the situation, we are not taking any chances. We will deploy police at all the planned venues and routes. Legal action will be taken if the rallies go ahead without permission or not sticking to the police-directed routes, if at all,” said an officer.Police said on July 19 and 21, a CJP member, Dedipya Gangopadhyay, emailed the JCP (Headquarters) and the JCP of Kolkata Police seeking approval for the rally. Asked if they would go ahead without police approval, Gangopadhyay said, “We have not yet decided.” The CJP said everyone, barring education-related corruption and other scandals, were invited to join the march.
