kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, July 25: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday issued a strong warning of stringent action against those responsible for the violence that erupted during Friday's protest march in Kolkata. Expressing deep concern over the attacks on journalists, the Chief Minister said the actual facts behind the incident needed to be brought to light and assured that the state government would take firm legal action against those involved.

The West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the assault on media personnel during the protest was a matter of serious concern. He stated, “The way journalists were attacked yesterday, it was essential to know the real facts. I personally visited the hospital and met several injured journalists.”

The Chief Minister said the rally had originally been organised as a peaceful demonstration by the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and other organisations. However, according to him, anti-social elements from Metiabruz, Khidirpur and Belgachia allegedly infiltrated the procession and launched attacks on journalists as well as police personnel, leading to widespread violence.

He further informed the Assembly that the government had received a written complaint from one of the injured journalists regarding the attack. Emphasising the seriousness of the incident, the Chief Minister said the police had already initiated legal proceedings against those responsible.

Suvendu Adhikari announced that a total of seven criminal cases had been registered in connection with the violence, including six cases at Hare Street Police Station and one at Entally Police Station. He added that provisions under the state's anti-goonda law had also been invoked in these cases to ensure stringent action against those involved.

Praising the conduct of the Kolkata Police during the unrest, the Chief Minister said the force had exercised considerable restraint despite being provoked. He remarked that clear instructions had been issued to the police to remain calm and avoid falling into any trap that could further escalate the situation.

The Chief Minister, the protest march proceeded peacefully until it reached Dorina Crossing, where violence allegedly began after shoes and bottles were thrown at police personnel. He claimed that journalists were deliberately targeted during the chaos and alleged that the intention was to provoke the police into resorting to a baton charge so that further unrest could unfold. However, he said the police did not succumb to the provocation and continued to exercise restraint.

The Chief Minister revealed that six journalists sustained serious injuries during the violence and required medical treatment at hospitals. He reiterated that the attacks on members of the media were unacceptable and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.

Providing further details, Suvendu Adhikari stated that police had identified 70 individuals allegedly involved in the violence. He asserted that none of those identified were students or members of the Citizen Justice Platform (CJP), and claimed they had no connection with the ongoing NEET-related student movement.

Naming several alleged accused during his address, the Chief Minister referred to individuals identified as Afroz from Rajabagan, Nahid from Khidirpur, Tanbir and Nizam from Ekbalpur, and Rahul Jamal from Watgunge. He declared that the government would invoke the anti-goonda law in the strongest possible manner against those accused, warning that the action taken would serve as a lasting lesson for criminals. He added that the recent violence had demonstrated why such legislation was necessary and said people would now understand its importance.

The Chief Minister's remarks come amid heightened political tensions following Friday's violent protests in central Kolkata, where clashes between demonstrators and police disrupted public life and left several journalists and police personnel injured. Investigations into the incident are continuing, while security agencies remain engaged in identifying all those allegedly responsible for the violence.