A student protest rally turned violent in Kolkata on Friday (PTI)
NEW DELHI: The West Bengal government on Saturday invoked its newly enacted “Goonda Act” against those accused of orchestrating violence during Friday’s NEET protest, marking the first use of the legislation since it was passed by the state assembly.The West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-social Activities Act, 2026, was passed by the assembly recently after a stormy debate and criticised by the opposition as draconian. Governor RN Ravi approved the legislation earlier this week.Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the move on Saturday.”I condemn the attack on our journalist friends on behalf of the entire House. An attack on journalists is unacceptable.
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We will take such action under the Goonda Act that these goons and even their next three generations will remember it. This is precisely why this law was enacted,” Adhikari said in the assembly.He informed the House that around 70 people identified from the Dharmatala rally were “not students” and had no connection with the agitation over the NEET paper leak.Seven FIRs were registered over Friday’s violence — six at Hare Street police station and one at Entally police station — with provisions of the new law incorporated into the cases, he told the House. “The police exercised maximum restraint despite repeated provocation. That was the clear instruction given to them. They did not fall into the trap,” Adhikari said.The chief minister alleged that the rally initially proceeded peacefully before “anti-social elements” entered from behind and attempted to trigger violence.According to him, the protest was organised under the banner of the “United Cockroach March”, announced by what he described as a self-proclaimed member of the CJP, with participation from Left and ultra-Left student organisations, including the SFI, DSO, DYSA and AISF.”In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest peacefully within the framework of law. The police were specifically instructed not to act unless the situation went completely out of control,” he added.Adhikari alleged that as the procession reached Dorina Crossing at Esplanade, shoes and water bottles were hurled first at policemen and then at journalists covering the demonstration.”They wanted the police to resort to lathi-charge and tear gas. They wanted a spectacle. But Kolkata Police did not provide them that opportunity. The restraint shown by the force deserves appreciation,” he stated.(With PTI inputs)
