Kolkata, 25 July (H.S.): Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday named four alleged notorious criminals on the floor of the West Bengal Assembly in connection with Friday's violence at Dharmatala and the attack on media personnel. He asserted that the accused were not students but organised miscreants and would face stringent action under the recently enacted Public Safety Act.

Addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister said police have so far identified 70 persons allegedly involved in the violence. Among those named were Afroz of Rajabagan, Nahid of Khidirpur and Tanvir of Ekbalpur. He alleged that they had infiltrated the protest with the intention of inciting violence and had no connection with the student community.

Adhikari said seven FIRs had been registered in connection with the Dharmatala violence and the assault on journalists, adding that provisions of the Public Safety Act had been invoked in all the cases. He asserted that the government would not spare anyone found responsible for the incident.

Defending the newly enacted law, the Chief Minister said it was introduced to deal effectively with organised criminal elements. We will ensure such strict action that not just one generation, but three generations of these criminals will remember it. People will now understand why this law was necessary, he said.

The Chief Minister also stated that the police had been instructed in advance not to use force unless the situation went completely out of control. He commended the personnel deployed at the protest site for exercising restraint despite repeated provocation and for maintaining law and order without resorting to excessive force.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh