Kolkata Police Seizes Army Truck for Traffic Violation Near Police Commissioner's Convoy
Tensions escalated once more in Kolkata following a recent dispute over the Army's dismantling of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) protest stage. On Tuesday morning, police intervened when an Army truck allegedly came dangerously close to the convoy of Police Commissioner Manoj Verma in the high-security BBD Square area.
Police sources reported that officers from Hare Street Police Station stopped and subsequently seized the truck after it attempted an illegal right turn. This incident took place as Commissioner Verma was making his way to the Lalbazar headquarters.
According to a traffic police official, the truck executed an unexpected right turn on a road where such maneuvers are prohibited, narrowly avoiding a collision with the Commissioner's vehicle. The truck was reportedly on its way from Fort William to a passport office.
An Army jawan inside the truck contested the police's version, stating to the media that the truck turned at a green signal and that they were unaware of the Commissioner's convoy behind them. He mentioned that the police accused the truck of "dangerous driving" and that senior Army officials had been notified of the situation.
In a statement released on X, Kolkata Police asserted:
"It's apparently clear from CCTV footage that the truck in question was being driven in a dangerous manner violating the traffic lane. The other vehicle narrowly escaped a collision thanks to the alertness of its driver. Legal action is being initiated as per law against the driver of the offending vehicle."
Police also made public CCTV footage that captured the Army truck making a sudden right turn as the Commissioner's vehicle maneuvered to avoid a potential crash.
This latest incident comes on the heels of a contentious episode involving the Army's removal of a TMC protest stage in the city, further intensifying the political climate.
