Kolkata Traffic Comes to a Standstill as Lakhs Gather At Esplanade on TMC's Martyrs' Day

Kolkata: Commuters witnessed a harrowing time as vehicular traffic came to a grinding halt in Kolkata as lakhs of people from different parts of West Bengal thronged the city on Friday to participate in Trinamool Congress' (TMC) Martyrs' Day celebrations.

The Mamata Banerjee-led TMC is all set to observe Martyrs' Day near Victoria House in Esplanade area in central Kolkata to remember the 13 people killed in firing during a rally on July 21, 1993, along with other martyrs, who were killed during the Left Front rule in the historic city.

On this day in 1993, 13 youth congress workers were killed in a police firing at Mayo Road in Kolkata. The firing took place when the Youth Congress activists led by Mamata Banerjee marched towards Writers' Building - demanding that the voters' identity card be made the only valid document to verify voters in order to stop the rampant ‘scientific rigging’ by the ruling party.

Like previous years, this year also lakhs of party supporters, party well-wishers have been put up at various places in Kolkata. They have been accommodated by the party in places like the Geetanjali Stadium, Milan Mela grounds and various places in north Kolkata, where local leaders and party workers have been looking after them.

National President of Trinamool Youth Congress, Abhishek Banerjee held several public meetings across the State to make this an event a huge success.

Makeshift camps have been set up at various places across the city to provide assistance to people. Commemorative gates have also been put up at important intersections in the city. Proper arrangements have been made for fire-safety, drinking water. Arrangements have also been made for medical emergencies.

All party leaders, eminent personalities and TMC workers from other states already reached the venue. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to speak around 12.30 pm.

Meanwhile, office goers and commuters had a harrowing time in reaching their respective destinations as most of the private and government bus services were engaged in bringing TMC supporters to the venue from districts and villages.