Stone-pelting will end in Bengal like Kashmir’: Suvendu Adhikari after Park Circus violence

“But a situation where people suddenly resort to stone-pelting while raising religious slogans will simply not be tolerated. Stone-pelting stopped in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. I believe it is now time that stone-pelting is brought to an absolute halt in Kolkata and across West Bengal,” Adhikari said.

“I came here to support our injured personnel as both the police minister and the chief minister. The days when policemen were left to get injured while the police minister sat back in an air-conditioned room are over,” he said, seemingly taking a swipe at the previous administration.

He informed that over 40 arrests have been made in connection with the violence, so far.

‘Zero tolerance for vandalism’

“I appeal to those people, don’t do this. Please refrain from such activities. If you think, like in the previous government, that the hands of policemen are tied up, you are wrong. Zero tolerance for vandalism, rowdies. Zero tolerance for anti-nationals and criminals. This is the last time I am telling you, not only strong action, arrests will be made, but monitoring will be done until the criminals are convicted,” said Adhikari.

Adhikari said he had only asked the police to strictly enforce the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). “I have asked the police to act without looking at political affiliations, religious identities, or high-profile backers. I am highly satisfied with the swift intervention of the Kolkata Police and the central forces yesterday.”

He stated that within six months, the manpower, logistical, and other needs of the Kolkata Police will be met. “We will restore the glory of the Kolkata Police. Under the previous government, the Kolkata Police became non-functional. We will also request the central government to maintain the presence of central forces here until an alternative plan is in place,” he added.

Adhikari alleged that Sunday’s flare-up was orchestrated. “The violence we witnessed yesterday at Park Circus was pre-planned. There were inciting social media posts circulating prior to the incident, and the police are actively investigating the digital trail,” he said.

Tensions escalated at Park Circus when a mob allegedly threw stones at the police, who lathicharged at the protesters to disperse the crowd. The protests were against the ban on animal slaughter, restrictions on loudspeakers in religious places, and the government’s demolition of a factory in Tiljala, where three workers recently died in a fire.

During the protests, demonstrators blocked the Seven-Point crossing in Park Circus. When the police arrived at the scene, bricks were allegedly thrown at them, after which the police lathicharged at the protesters. On Monday, police and CRPF personnel were deployed in the area.

Panels to probe into corruption, atrocities against women during TMC rule, says CM

Kolkata: The West Bengal government on Monday announced two Commissions, led by retired HC judges, to probe into allegations of “institutional corruption” and crimes against women in the state during Mamata Banerjee-led TMC regime. “The Cabinet gave its approval to form two Commissions promised during poll campaign. These will start work from June 1,” CM Suvendu Adhikari said. The Commission to investigate “institutional corruption” will be led by retired Calcutta HC judge Justice Biswajit Basu, with ADG-rank IPS officer Jayraman as its member secretary. Regarding the probe into crimes against women and girl child, Adhikari said the Commission will be chaired by retired judge Justice Samapti Chatterjee, with IPS officer Damayanti Sen as member secretary.—ENS