The number of arrests in connection with the violence that broke out during a student and youth protest over the alleged NEET examination scam in central Kolkata has risen to 14, with Kolkata Police arresting three more accused after identifying them through video footage.
According to police, the latest arrests were made on Sunday morning after investigators analysed CCTV footage and videos from the protest to identify individuals allegedly involved in the unrest. A search operation was subsequently launched to trace the accused.
The protest march, organised on Friday against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, turned violent near Dorina Crossing in Esplanade, where clashes erupted and the area witnessed widespread chaos.
Among those arrested are 34-year-old Shahbaz Khan, a resident of the Karaya police station area, Mohammad Salman Hossain from the Rajabagan police station area in Kolkata, and Mohammad Zahiruddin Mal from Bijoyganj in South 24 Parganas. Police said all 14 accused will be produced before a court on Sunday, where investigators are expected to seek police custody.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had warned on Friday night that those responsible for the violence would not be spared. Addressing the West Bengal Assembly on Saturday, he said police had identified 70 individuals allegedly involved in the incident.
The Chief Minister claimed that none of the 70 identified persons were students or members of the "Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)", asserting that they had no connection with the NEET protest movement. He also named five alleged "goons" whom he accused of orchestrating the violence. One of them, Mohammad Afroz, was arrested on Saturday from the Rajabagan area of Metiabruz.
The protest had been organised to demand action against alleged corruption in the education sector and the alleged NEET question paper leak. Police alleged that some participants attempted to attack security personnel during the demonstration and that journalists covering the march were also assaulted.
Following the incident, seven FIRs have been registered—six at Hare Street Police Station and one at Entally Police Station. Police have also invoked provisions of the West Bengal Anti-Rowdy Act as part of the investigation, which remains ongoing.
