Kolkata is experiencing heightened tensions as a result of ongoing protests related to a rape and murder case. The unrest follows the violent ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ protest, which saw several police officers injured. Today, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ in response to the police action during the previous demonstration. In preparation, North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) bus drivers in Cooch Behar have been seen wearing helmets for their safety. One bus driver noted, “We are wearing helmets because of the bandh called by the BJP today. The department provided us with helmets for our safety.”During the bandh, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul has criticized the Bengal government and its handling of the situation. In an interview with ANI, Paul accused the Mamata Banerjee-led administration and the police of lacking courage and disregarding directives from the Supreme Court.The bandh and subsequent protests underscore the escalating unrest in Kolkata, reflecting deepening divisions and dissatisfaction with current governance.