Kolkata: An anti-US rally called by Muslim groups here turned violent yesterday with protestors trying to break police barricades and enter the American Center, police said.
They were rallying against an “anti-Islamic” film made in the US.
Gathered in thousands and belonging to various Muslim organisations, including the All-Bengal Minorities Youth Federation, the protestors were stopped some distance away from the American Center.
“Some protestors tried to break the barricades but were stopped by the police. Situation is under control and nobody has been injured,” said a police officer.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) Javed Shamim, told reporters that a 1000-1500 strong force was deployed in the area and was successful in preventing the protestors from reaching the American consulate office. Police sources said an estimated 20,000-25,000 people from the minority community gathered in between Esplanade and Chowringhee to protest against video which was available on the internet. There was no violence during the protest, Shamim said.
The protest grid-locked traffic bumper-to-bumper on Chowringhee and C R avenue in central Kolkata and had a ripple effect elsewhere, including the south and the north in the metropolis.
The video has sparked anti-US protests across the Muslim world, including in countries like Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Tunisia, Sudan and Afghanistan. Agencies
