Anti-social elements infiltrated Kolkata NEET protest, attacked police: CM Suvendu Adhikari

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari told the Assembly that anti-social infiltrators hijacked Friday's NEET paper leak protest in Kolkata, attacking police and journalists. Authorities have identified 70 suspects via CCTV and filed seven cases under strict anti-rowdyism laws

Kolkata: Identified anti-social elements from selected localities in Kolkata namely Rajabazar, Kidderpore, Park Circus, Garden Reach and Ekbalpur, who assembled at the joint rally of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) involving the youth and the students’ wings of different Left parties over the NEET examination paper leak protest on Friday, were mainly responsible for attacking cops and media persons at the rally, Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari informed the State Assembly on Saturday.

He said, “There were strict instructions on the police not to use force on any democratic and peaceful movement. In a democratic system, protest movement is also a democratic right. But there was chaos there.

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“CJP said that Leftist students’ and youth organisations joined the protests. Among them were people from Kolkata and surrounding areas, who are not students and have no connection with NEET.

“Those who lost the vote all came from Rajabazar, Kidderpore Park Circus, Garden Reach, Ekbalpur and Newtown. They threw water bottles, shoes at the police at Dorina crossing. They attacked journalists.”

The Chief Minister said this while addressing the House on the concluding day of the ongoing six-day extended Budget Session of the Assembly.

He also named certain alleged anti-social elements coming from these areas, who according to the Chief Minister, were the principal perpetrators behind Friday’s violence.

According to the Chief Minister, the main intention of these anti-social elements assembled at the rally was to create tension and violence and thus hog the limelight.

“They wanted the police to use force by resorting to baton-charge and firing of teargas shells. Their intention was to aggravate the tension. And thus create a drama. Fortunately, the police did not fall into that trap. But they continued their attacks.

“Some journalists were attacked and injured by them. Out of them, six journalists were seriously injured. A total of seven cases will all be tried under the newly promulgated West Bengal Public Safety & Control of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2026, which has stricter provisions to prevent rowdy and anti-social activities, corruption in the state,” the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, one more FIR had been registered over rowdyism during Friday’s rally, thus taking the total number of registered FIRs in the case to seven.

A total of 70 people have been identified from CCTV footage and videos who were directly involved in rowdy activities on Friday.