West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday alleged that individuals identified for allegedly triggering violence during the student protest against the alleged NEET-UG paper leak in Kolkata's Dharmatala may have been backed by "foreign forces", adding that the possibility is being investigated.
Speaking to reporters after attending Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat programme with BJP workers at Sonachura in Nandigram, Adhikari claimed that those accused of creating unrest had no connection with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which spearheaded the nationwide agitation over the NEET controversy.
"This group may have been backed by foreign forces. The matter is under investigation," the Chief Minister said.
Adhikari also condemned the alleged attacks on journalists during Friday's protest, saying several criminal cases had been registered in connection with the incident.
"The way journalists were assaulted, injured and subjected to attempts on their lives is unacceptable. Seven cases have been registered. Most of these complaints have been filed by journalists themselves, while the police have also initiated a few cases on their own," he said.
Describing it as an unprecedented development, the Chief Minister noted that journalists themselves had approached the police to seek action against those responsible.
Reiterating his government's stand, Adhikari said those involved in the violence would be dealt with strictly under the law."Our government will deal with these hooligans through the rule of law," he said.
The Chief Minister also suggested that the unrest was a reaction to recent decisions taken by his government.
"For the past 10 weeks, the nationalist government here has taken several decisions to enforce the law. It is because of that discomfort that these elements are resorting to such acts," he said.
Violence broke out during the student-led protest in Dharmatala on Friday, prompting a police crackdown. Several people have since been arrested, and the Kolkata Police are continuing their investigation using CCTV footage and video evidence. The state government has maintained that those responsible for the violence were not part of the student movement and will face legal action.
