Seven FIRs registered over violence at CJP-Left students’ protest in Kolkata

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that 70 people have been identified for their involvement in the violence, out of which none of them are students or members of the Cockroach Janata PartyThe Kolkata Police have registered seven first information reports (FIRs) in connection with the violence that erupted at the Esplanade area during a students’ protest rally led by the Cockroach Janta Party and several Left-affiliated students’ wings on Friday (July 24, 2026), demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Six of the FIRs have been registered in connection with the attack on the media personnel and one is a suo motu case in connection with the violence.Also read: Jantar Mantar protest updates on July 25, 2026Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday (July 25, 2026) said in the State Assembly that 70 people have been identified who are not students or members of the Cockroach Janata Party.

The Chief Minister said these cases will be investigated under the “Goonda Act”, a recent law passed by the State Assembly that allows preventive detention for a period of up to 12 months. Mr. Adhikari lauded the efforts of the police in dispersing the mob.

The march on Friday (July 24, 2026) started from Sealdah station, where thousands of young students and people from various sections of society showed up. However, the peaceful protest turned violent when the police used force to disperse the crowd soon after they reached Esplanade. The protesters started a dharna at the Dorina Crossing in Esplanade, following which the police lathi-charged and also fired two rounds of fire gas.

In retaliation, the protesters also threw shoes and bottles at the police force. During the clash several people from both sides and also a few journalists sustained injuries. The RAF and paramilitary forces have also been deployed in the area to maintain the law-and-order situation.

Protest held in Kolkata demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignationAfter assessing the entire situation and damage, the Kolkata Police lodged seven FIRs on Saturday (July 25, 2026) morning. The first FIR was suo motu lodged by the Kolkata Police at the Hare Street Police Station for allegedly delivering provocative speeches and slogans by the protesters, attacking the police personnel, and unlawfully gathering at Dorina Crossing. Police said that the protesters gathered in the area without any formal permission from the police authority.

“They had vehicles with them and were using microphones at high volume. They were giving provocative speeches instigating their followers to encroach on the entire Dorina crossing. The continuous instigations of the leaders infuriated the crowd, resulting in the whole gathering becoming very aggressive and unruly,” said Additional Police Commissioner (Crime) Kunal Aggarwal.

Cockroach Janta Party protests | Collection of The Hindu’s ground reportsThe police repeatedly instructed them to leave the place and to maintain peace. But the crowd, under the instructions of the leaders, started hurling water bottles, shoes, sticks and stones targeting the police, reporters and passers-by – creating a total insecurity for the commoners and others, the officer said. Mr Aggarwal said that some police personnel also sustained injuries due to the clash.

“As they were good in number and they were trying to provoke the police, the latter showed very restrained behaviour and maintained an orderly situation, confining them within a certain ambit. Their such act completely paralysed the regular vehicular movements and public activities,” he added. The FIR was lodged under sections 189(2), 189(4), 189(3), 191(2), 190, 121(1), 132, 285, 352, 223, 3(5), and 3(6) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against multiple unidentified people.

The other five FIRs were against the attack on journalists Rik Purakaystha and Krishnendu Majumder from the R Plus channel, Shiladitya Kar from the Ei Samay publishing house, Rahi Halder from the Aaj Tak channel (India Today group), and Suman Mahapatra, Makhan Chandra Patra, and Dipankar Dasgupta from the TV9 channel. All of them are currently undergoing treatment at the SSKM Hospital.The Chief Minister on Friday night (July 24, 2026) visited the SSKM Hospital and met the injured journalists.

Mr. Adhikari promised necessary action against the attack on the media personnel. “Is this a protest against NEET?

Those who have attacked journalists will be punished. Wait for a few days. We have identified them.

They have no connection with NEET protests,” the Chief Minister said.Earlier on Friday morning (July 24, 2026), he also called the protesters anti-national and said that no such activities will be spared in West Bengal. “We will drive these anti-nationals out of Bengal.

If you want to stay here, such activities will not be accepted. I heard that the students from the hostel of Jadavpur University were forced to join this rally. We will not allow this,” he told the reporters reacting to the protest.

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