Kolkata, 1 June (H.S.) – Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has written to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, alleging unauthorized intervention by Kolkata Police at Sealdah Railway Station on May 30. The action was in response to a protest by teachers who recently lost their jobs following a Supreme Court order.

In his letter, Adhikari accused the Kolkata Police of forcibly entering Sealdah station without proper authorization and detaining peaceful demonstrators. The protesters, who were dismissed teachers, had gathered at the station to begin a march towards the state secretariat, Nabanna, in Mandirtala. According to reports, they began their protest by removing their shirts in a symbolic act before attempting to move towards the secretariat.

However, a large contingent of Kolkata Police had already taken control of the station premises before the protest could formally begin. Adhikari claimed that several demonstrators were detained and forcibly dragged into police vans stationed both inside and outside the railway complex.

In the letter, Adhikari stressed that the police’s actions violated the Railway Police Act, 1861, which restricts the jurisdiction of state police forces on railway property. “I respectfully urge you to conduct a thorough inquiry into the unauthorised entry of Kolkata Police into Sealdah Railway Station and hold accountable those responsible,” he wrote. He further requested the minister to issue strict directives ensuring that such unauthorized entries are not repeated.

Highlighting a pattern, Adhikari noted that this was not the first time state police forces had overstepped their jurisdiction within railway premises in West Bengal. He said that despite raising concerns with the Sealdah Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), no corrective action was taken.

He emphasized that railway premises are under central jurisdiction and must be safeguarded from undue interference. “The rights of passengers and the sanctity of railway property must be protected. It cannot be allowed to become a site where democratic rights are trampled upon,” Adhikari added.

No official response has been issued yet by the Kolkata Police or the Railway Ministry regarding the incident.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh