'Won't tolerate attacks on police': West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari on Kolkata violence; 40 held

NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday tightened his tone on the deteriorating law and order situation in state after 10 cops along with 3 CAPF personnel were injured in Kolkata during a protest on Sunday afternoon. He further informed that at least 40 arrests had been made so far.Drawing comparisons with Kashmir, he said that incidents like stone pelting had stopped even in volatile regions like Kashmir. "I think such things must stop in West Bengal as well," he said."Such incidents no longer occur in Kashmir. In Bengal, people had become accustomed to a certain laxity—they felt that the government would not take any action against them. The police will now act strictly in accordance with the law; they are the law enforcement agency. Gone are the days when police personnel would get injured while the Police Minister merely sat in an air-conditioned room, watching the things unfold—forget those days now. From this point forward, hooliganism will be eradicated from Bengal," he said."The message must reach everyone that this government is here to take action. Regarding the recent incident, someone had actually posted about it on social media before it even took place—the police are currently investigating this matter. Previously, the police were unable to function effectively due to certain political biases; however, they are now free and are operating strictly in accordance with the law under the BNSS framework. Furthermore—in terms of strengthening and modernising the Kolkata Police, as well as enhancing their infrastructure and logistical support—just wait and watch; they will prove to be the finest among all police forces," he added.The protest at Park Circus seven-point crossing was triggered by anger over the “bulldozer action” in Tiljala, where two allegedly illegal buildings were partially demolished by authorities. The demolitions came days after a fire in one of the buildings killed three people last Tuesday. A social media post calling for demonstrations against the demolition drive drew a large crowd to the crossing around 1.30pm.According to police, the gathering was unauthorised and tensions escalated when protesters attempted to block roads in the busy intersection. The situation turned violent after security forces tried to disperse the crowd. Protesters allegedly hurled stones and bricks at police personnel and vandalised police vehicles, damaging at least three.Ten police and CAPF personnel were injured in the clashes, three of them seriously. Among the injured were additional commissioner of police (south-east) Chitadeep Pandey, his guard, and Beniapukur police station officer-in-charge Rajesh Singh, all of whom were taken to hospital. Police later resorted to a lathicharge to bring the situation under control after nearly an hour of unrest.