Attackers will receive such punishment that even the next three generations will remember it, says Suvendu Adhikari

Kolkata, 25 July (H.S.): Kolkata Police has registered seven FIRs in connection with Friday's violence during the United Cockroach March at Dorina Crossing in Dharmatala. Of these, six FIRs were lodged on the complaints of media personnel, while one was registered suo motu by the police. Addressing the West Bengal Assembly on Saturday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari strongly condemned the attack on journalists and said that 70 persons involved in the violence had so far been identified.

The Chief Minister alleged that the preliminary investigation had revealed the involvement of notorious criminals belonging to a particular community. He named four accused on the floor of the Assembly and asserted that all those involved would be booked under the stringent provisions of the recently enacted Public Safety Act. He said the government would not tolerate violence and warned that the accused would face such severe punishment that their next three generations will remember it.

Adhikari said that in a democracy every citizen has the right to hold peaceful protests, and it was on that principle that police had permitted the demonstration. However, the state government had issued clear instructions that no force should be used unless the situation went completely out of control. He said the entire event was being closely monitored and that despite repeated attempts by protesters to provoke the police, security personnel exercised maximum restraint.

The Chief Minister alleged that when the protesters failed to provoke the police, they deliberately targeted media personnel. Six journalists sustained serious injuries in the attack and were treated at government hospitals. FIRs have also been registered on the basis of their complaints.

Condemning the assault on journalists, Adhikari announced that BJP legislators would wear black bands and stage a protest near the statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar before the commencement of the second sitting of the Assembly as a mark of solidarity with the injured media personnel.

According to the police's suo motu FIR, a large number of people gathered at Dorina Crossing around 2 p.m. on Friday under the leadership of various political and student-youth organisations. Police alleged that the gathering was held without permission. The FIR mentions organisations including AIDSO, AIDYO, CPI(ML), DYFI, AISA, PDSF, AFSA, DSF, ISU and APDR.

Police alleged that provocative speeches were delivered using loudspeakers, urging supporters to occupy the entire Dorina Crossing. Although the gathering was declared unlawful and repeated announcements were made asking protesters to disperse peacefully, the instructions were allegedly ignored.

The FIR further states that the crowd hurled water bottles, shoes, sticks and stones at police personnel, journalists and passers-by, injuring several police officers. Police maintained that despite being heavily outnumbered, the force acted with restraint, contained the gathering within a designated area and prevented the situation from escalating further. The violence disrupted traffic and normal life for several hours before the protesters dispersed around 7:15 p.m.

A case has been registered at Hare Street Police Station under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against unidentified persons. Police said the investigation is continuing and efforts are underway to identify and arrest the remaining accused.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh