16 arrested under anti-goonda law after journalists attacked during Kolkata NEET protest
Midway through the rally, outsiders, including alleged anti-social elements who were not students, joined the procession and created mayhem
In West Bengal, the Anti-Goonda Act has been brought into force, leading to the arrest of 16 individuals involved in violence during NEET exam protests. The accused allegedly assaulted journalists and police personnel and vandalized public property. While some family members of the arrested claim they are being targeted, authorities are examining CCTV footage and social media to identify all perpetrators. The Chief Minister has indicated that foreign-funded groups were likely behind the incidents, aiming to destabilize the region.
In West Bengal, the Anti-Goonda Act has been brought into force, leading to the arrest of 16 individuals involved in violence during NEET exam protests. The accused allegedly assaulted journalists and police personnel and vandalized public property. While some family members of the arrested claim they are being targeted, authorities are examining CCTV footage and social media to identify all perpetrators. The Chief Minister has indicated that foreign-funded groups were likely behind the incidents, aiming to destabilize the region.
In West Bengal, the Anti-Goonda Act has been brought into force, leading to the arrest of 16 individuals involved in violence during NEET exam protests. The accused allegedly assaulted journalists and police personnel and vandalized public property. While some family members of the arrested claim they are being targeted, authorities are examining CCTV footage and social media to identify all perpetrators. The Chief Minister has indicated that foreign-funded groups were likely behind the incidents, aiming to destabilize the region.
The Anti-Goonda Act has come into force as the West Bengal government moves to take action against 16 protesters arrested until Monday for allegedly assaulting journalists and police personnel and vandalising public property during NEET exam protests. Many of those arrested are repeat offenders with previous criminal cases. However, some family members of the accused claim they are being targeted, arguing that while the accused participated in the rally, they were not involved in the attacks. Most of the arrested individuals are from the minority-dominated areas of Kidderpore, Metiabruz, and Rajabazar.
Violence erupted on Friday after Left Front student organisations held a rally from Sealdah with police permission, which was joined by Cockroach Janata Party(CJP) to show solidarity with protesting students in Delhi. However, midway through the rally, outsiders, including alleged anti-social elements who were not students, joined the procession and created mayhem. They allegedly assaulted journalists and police personnel, hurled abuses, and damaged public property at Dharmatala, where the rally concluded. Police resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd, but the crowd gradually dispersed by night.
On Monday, journalists held a protest rally and submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who had visited the injured journalists at the hospital on Friday. He informed that an FIR has been filed, and 16 people have been arrested in connection with the ruckus.
Several journalists were injured in the clashes and required hospitalisation. Following the incident, the Chief Minister alleged that foreign-funded "Jamatis" were likely behind the violence. He clarified that neither the Left Front student organisations nor the CJP were responsible for the attacks. According to him, the violators were not students but jamati fundamentalists who were seeking to weaken India and create unrest.
Journalists also organised a rally condemning the attacks on members of the media fraternity and submitted a memorandum to the office of Governor R. N. Ravi. Meanwhile, the BJP held a Tiranga Yatra along the same route taken by the student rally on Friday. "After the new law was implemented, the first case has been registered under it. Sixteen arrests have been made. This is the first time there have been 16 arrests in connection with attacks on journalists. I want to assure everyone that this is a democratic government. No one will be spared. Strict action will be taken," BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari, who participated in the rally, said.
Some of the arrested were brought to Dharamtala by the police for a crime reconstruction. The police are looking at social media content, CCTV and other video footage to identify and arrest violators.
Meanwhile, some of the arrested individuals were brought to Dharmatala by the police for crime scene reconstruction. Officials are examining CCTV footage and other video evidence to identify and arrest the violators.