Eleven people have been arrested in connection with the violence that broke out during a student protest over the alleged NEET question paper leak in Kolkata on Friday.
The arrests were announced by Kolkata Police on Saturday night following an investigation into the clashes at Dorina Crossing in the Esplanade (Dharmatala) area.
The protest, organized by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), turned violent after police attempted to stop the rally. During a sit-in demonstration near Dorina Crossing, some protesters allegedly hurled shoes, water bottles, stones and other objects at police personnel.
Several journalists covering the protest were also reportedly assaulted and injured. Police subsequently carried out a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, leading to heightened tension in the area.
According to Kolkata Police, the arrested individuals have been identified as Irfan Khurshed, Arshad Ali alias Sajid, Md. Moinuddin, Md. Alamgir alias Raju, Imran Ahmed alias Gopi, Khalid Reja alias Rinku, Zamir Ahmed alias Minku, Mohsin Khan, Deepak Bhowmick alias Vicky, Md. Azad and Md. Afroz.
According to police, a total of seven criminal cases have been registered in connection with the unrest—six at Hare Street Police Station and one at Entally Police Station.
Several of the cases were initiated suo motu by the police. Authorities also invoked provisions of the state’s recently enacted Goonda Act, marking its first reported use since the legislation was passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), protesters allegedly occupied the road with flags, banners and vehicles while calling on supporters to take over the entire Dorina Crossing. Police said repeated announcements were made over loudspeakers declaring the gathering unlawful and directing demonstrators to disperse.
However, the protesters allegedly refused to comply and instead threw bottles, shoes, sticks and stones at police personnel. The FIR includes charges related to unlawful assembly, rioting, obstructing public servants from performing official duties, assaulting government officials, blocking public roads, incitement, promoting hatred and disobeying lawful orders issued by public authorities.
Kolkata Police Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kunal Aggarwal said in a statement, none of those arrested were students. He added that investigators identified the suspects by examining video footage and other evidence collected from the protest site. Police also alleged that two of the accused, Md. Azad and Md. Afroz, were attempting to flee the state after the incident.
Acting on intelligence inputs, officers arrested them on the Durgapur Expressway near Andal.
Meanwhile, addressing the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Friday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned of strict legal action against those allegedly involved in the violence. He said that provisions of the anti-hooliganism law would be invoked against the accused. According to the Chief Minister, investigators had identified around 70 people in connection with the incident.
He further claimed that those identified were neither students nor members of the protesting organizations. The Chief Minister stated, “I know who committed these acts: Afroz from Rajabazar, Nahim from Khidirpur, Tanvir from Ekbalpur, and Rahul Jamal from Watganj. Such action will be taken under the Goonda Act. These four men will be remembered.”
The investigation into the incident is continuing, and police said further arrests may follow based on evidence gathered from CCTV footage, videos and witness statements.
Meanwhile, authorities are also examining allegations relating to the assault on journalists and damage caused during the protest.
