Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday declared that attacks on police officers during protests, particularly stone-pelting reminiscent of incidents in Kashmir, will not be tolerated in the state. Speaking in Park Circus, Adhikari reiterated the government's zero-tolerance policy following a violent protest on Sunday that left six police personnel and two Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) members injured.
Background of the Incident
The violence erupted during a demonstration against the so-called bulldozer action in Tiljala, a locality in Kolkata. Protesters reportedly chanted religious slogans and hurled stones at law enforcement officials, leading to injuries. Adhikari, who also holds the home portfolio, emphasized that such acts would be dealt with firmly.
Adhikari's Strong Message
Addressing the media, Adhikari stated: Any political or religious organization can hold its programme with prior police notification. But chanting religious slogans and throwing stones... this has stopped in Srinagar and the rest of Kashmir. I believe it will stop in Bengal and Kolkata, too. He added that some individuals in Bengal had begun to think they were untouchable, but those days are over. If a cop gets injured, the home minister will not sit in his air-conditioned room. He will ensure that the culprit receives the maximum punishment.
Adhikari visited the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (south-east) at Park Circus seven-point crossing around 1:45 pm to review the situation with senior officers. He also spoke with the injured personnel, including Assistant Commissioner Chitradeep Pandey, Inspector Rajesh Kumar Singh, ASI Shyamal Kumar Ghosh, Constable Shahzada Sheikh, Constable Tarun Kumar Das, and Civic Volunteer Anirban Majumdar.
Arrests and Future Action
So far, 38 individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence. Adhikari described the attack as a planned one and warned that this would be the first and last attack on police during the tenure of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state. He assured the police force of full support, stating: I have also come to support Kolkata Police, which did a splendid job. I told them to work fearlessly. Your Chief Minister is with you. Your Commissioner of Police is with you.
Zero Tolerance Policy
Adhikari issued a clear message to protesters: I request you not to repeat these actions. If you think the previous government is still in office and old rules still apply, you are mistaken. I am sending a clear message: there will be zero tolerance. We will not allow anti-national or anti-social activities. He warned that if any police officer is harmed, the government will take all legal actions, including close monitoring of the case until conviction. We will not just arrest, but closely monitor the case till conviction. I urge our police friends... you do not need to see who is attached to which party, who is from which community, who is influential... If such events occur again, there will be no worse home minister than me, he said.
Adhikari also mentioned that citizens are free to file written complaints against police officers if they have grievances. The state government remains committed to maintaining law and order, and any form of violence against law enforcement will be met with stringent measures.
