Poonam Pandey's morphed pic creates ruckus in Kolkata

 

Incensed over a photograph that appeared in a city daily, protesters blocked roads for up to six hours throwing life out of gear over parts of Kolkata on Tuesday, prompting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to appeal for peace.

"Some people provoked by political influence are trying to create problems in the city. I urge them not to fall to such provocation and ask them to maintain peace and harmony," Banerjee said here after returning from New Delhi.

Without naming the opposition, Banerjee accused it of stoking the fire and urged everyone to maintain peace and harmony. She warned that the administration will not tolerate any attempt to create trouble.

A photograph featuring model Poonam Pandey is alleged to have hurt religious sentiments which triggered the protests in the city.

Senior police officers rushed to the spot to persuade the agitators to lift the blockade which stalled traffic movement from Park Circus crossing to Bridge No. 4 since 3.45 p.m. Road blockades were also reported from the nearby Mullickbazar area.

Police said the situation was under control.

The opposition Left Front also urged people to maintain peace and order.

"West Bengal is known for its tolerant and peace loving people. Therefore, I urge everybody to maintain peace and harmony," Left Front chairman Biman Bose said.

Poonam Pandey reacts on the controversy@iPoonampandey:  I am really Shocked and Hurt over the incident in Kolkata, A fan made stupid morphed pic of mine was published by mistake on a News Paper

Poonam Pandey posted a racy pic for Virat Kohli on Twitter

@iPoonampandey: Please keep me away from any such unwanted controversies which could hurt one's sentiments.

@iPoonampandey: TweetHrts & all my Fans round d World i do appreciate ur Love towards me but such edited/Morphed pix really hurt me


This is what tweeple are saying
@prasanto: Major ruckus at ABP, Kolkata now with cops, protesters after Telegraph carried Poonam Pandey tweet and pix

@shadymumbai: POONAM pandey sweats for 1 hour ... 1 man happy ... Sachin sweats for 1 hour .... 2-3 billion happy !!

@Vijay_Chicku: Disclaimer: I don't follow Poonam Pandey! Having said that, you should see what she posted for Sachin & Kohli on twitter! #gonecase

@PBNRG: Will Poonam Pandey send a picture to Bangla team?

Poonam Pandey posted a series of rauncy Holi pics

Apology
The Telegraph tenders an unconditional apology for reproducing a tweet by @iPoonampandey in Monday’s edition of t2.

The publication was the result of a technical error.

The Telegraph had no intention to hurt the sentiments of any community. We sincerely apologise for the hurt the publication of the tweet has caused.

City security
Calcutta police have said “in view of apprehension of breach of peace and public tranquillity and to prevent disruption of the ongoing school examinations, all unlawful assemblies are prohibited within the limits of Calcutta police jurisdiction”.

With inputs from Twitter and Telegraph