Protests in Park Circus in Kolkata blocks traffic for six hours

Kolkata:  Protests in the Park Circus area of central Kolkata threw traffic out of gear for over six hours on Tuesday.

The protests was triggered by a photograph that was published in a local newspaper that was allegedly tweeted by model Poonam Pandey. The newspaper has offered an apology since.

Senior police officers had earlier rushed to the spot to persuade the agitators to lift the blockade which stalled traffic movement from Park Circus crossing to Bridge number four since 3.45 pm.

Traffic disruptions were also reported from the nearby Mullickbazar area.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday appealed to all for maintaining communal amity and refraining from indulging in rumours and said that the state government would take all steps to rein in the situation.

In the appeal, the chief minister said that some persons were trying to foment communal tension centering around a published photograph in a newspaper and urged all not to get provoked.

"Higher secondary examination is progressing. I am requesting all to see that the examinees are not disturbed," she said.

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Traffic rule breakers, beware. Tougher fines and jail term

New Delhi:  Those who like to talk on their cellphones while driving need to revise their habit. 
The union cabinet has approved an array of amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act. These will amp up the punishment for not using seatbelts, jumping red lights, and driving drunk. The new rules will apply across the country if parliament approves of them.
Anyone caught talking on their cellphone while driving will be charged Rs 500 the first time; repeat performances will lead to fines up to Rs 5000.
Drunk drivers will be penalized according to the amount of alcohol found in their blood. Fines will start with Rs 2000 and/or six months in prison; higher alcohol amounts will double that punishment. If the driver is caught drunk again within three years of his or her first offence, fines up to Rs 10,000 and a jail term of four years could apply.
Those found to be driving dangerously - for example, motoring on the wrong side of the road- will face a fine of Rs 1000 and/or up to six months in jail. Repeat offences will see the fine increasingly substantially.
Those caught jumping red lights, not wearing seatbelts or helmets will pay Rs 500 the first time; the current fine for these violations is Rs 100. Repeat offences will come with fines up to Rs 1500 (up from Rs 300 that drivers pay now for recurring violations)
Those caught speeding will pay Rs 1000 instead of Rs 400. Subsequent offences will cost them upto Rs 5000, five times what repeat offenders pay today.

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