Kolkata, May 18 Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday asserted that attacks on police personnel and law enforcers during protests and demonstrations would no longer be tolerated in West Bengal. The CM made the remarks during his visit to Park Circus, which witnessed violence on Sunday after protesters allegedly pelted stones and bricks at police personnel following attempts to stop a demonstration against the use of bulldozers to demolish illegal constructions.
Adhikari said this would be the “first and last” attack on police personnel during his government’s tenure. He warned that if any policeman was attacked in future, strict legal action would follow.
The Chief Minister also claimed that Sunday’s protest against the use of bulldozers was “planned”.
Tension gripped the Park Circus area on Sunday afternoon after hundreds of people gathered to protest against the state government’s alleged bulldozer “policy”.
The situation escalated after police asked protesters to clear the roads. Protesters alleged that police resorted to lathi-charge first, while the police claimed that stones and bricks were suddenly hurled at them. Vehicles belonging to central forces were also vandalised, following which additional security personnel were deployed in the area.
After visiting the site on Monday, Adhikari praised the role played by the police in handling the situation. He visited the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Park Circus and met police officers and injured personnel.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Chief Minister said he was both the Chief Minister and Home Minister of the state and commended the manner in which the police handled the unrest.
He said several police personnel and jawans of central forces were injured and added that he had enquired about their health condition.
“Any political organisation or religious organisation can inform the police and organise their programme. But gathering people, raising religious slogans and pelting stones cannot be accepted. Stone pelting at police has stopped in Kashmir and Srinagar, and I think it will stop in West Bengal and Kolkata as well,” Adhikari said.
After reading out the names of injured police personnel and CRPF jawans, the Chief Minister said he had come to express solidarity with them.
“I saw how seriously they were injured. The way our entire force maintained law and order yesterday, prevented any major incident and protected people, I came to support them. I told them the government stands with them. They should work fearlessly according to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Their Chief Minister and Home Minister will always stand by them,” he said.
The Chief Minister also issued a stern warning against future incidents of violence.
“I appeal to people not to repeat such acts. If anyone thinks this is like the previous government where police forces remained restrained with tied hands and feet, they are mistaken. I am giving a clear message of zero tolerance against such unrest and hooliganism. We will not allow anti-national or anti-social activities,” he said.
Adhikari further said that as Home Minister, he would ensure the strictest possible legal action if any policeman was attacked.
“We will monitor such cases closely not only till arrest but till conviction. I also want to tell police personnel to work fearlessly according to their training, the provisions of the BNS and instructions given by their superiors,” he added.
Standing at Park Circus, the Chief Minister instructed police personnel to take action strictly according to law, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or community.
“The police should not have to think five times before taking action,” he said.
Issuing a warning to those accused in the Park Circus violence, Adhikari said, “Listen carefully, this should be the last such incident. I will not allow such incidents to happen again. If they happen again, there will be no stricter Police Minister than me.”
The Chief Minister also took a swipe at the previous regime over policing.
“Earlier, the hands and feet of the police were tied. Now they are independent. The protectors of law will work according to law,” he said.
At the same time, Adhikari urged citizens to follow legal channels for complaints against police personnel.
“If there is any complaint against a policeman, inform the OC or IC. If there is a complaint against the OC or IC, meet the DC. If there is a complaint against the DC, go to Lalbazar. Otherwise, send a mail. If there is any complaint against the CP, write to Nabanna. We will examine it. But stone pelting and creating unrest in the name of religious slogans will no longer be allowed in West Bengal,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that his government would take Kolkata Police to “another level” within the next six months.
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