Multiple FIRs Filed Over Violence During ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ Protest in Kolkata and Howrah

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Police in Kolkata and Howrah have registered nine First Information Reports (FIRs) across three police stations in connection with violent incidents during the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ protest on Saturday. Authorities accuse the demonstrators of attacking police personnel, damaging both public and private property, and engaging in acts of arson. The organizers are also alleged to have violated a Calcutta High Court order by proceeding with the march in defiance of judicial instructions.

Most of the cases involve charges related to unlawful assembly, use of force or violence by such assembly, voluntarily causing hurt, assaulting public servants in the execution of their duties, attempted murder, and criminal conspiracy. Police sources have suggested that participants involved in the assault near J L Nehru Road could face charges under organized crime provisions.

Senior officers indicated that the matter would be presented before the high court when it comes up for hearing in four weeks. In Kolkata alone, six FIRs were filed at the New Market police station and one at the Hare Street police station. While police have not officially confirmed any names in the complaints, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that party leaders such as Ashok Dinda, Agnimitra Paul, and Kaustuv Bagchi, all of whom were reportedly present at the J L Nehru Road flashpoint, have been named in the police’s suo motu complaints.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma stated on Sunday that authorities were identifying all those who disobeyed the high court’s orders, assaulted police, issued threats, or damaged property during the march. “Their names will certainly be included in the FIR,” he said.

Verma visited a city hospital to check on injured police constable Prasanta Poddar, 36, the security guard of DC SSD Bidhisha Kalita. Poddar was one of three officers admitted after sustaining injuries during the unrest. He reportedly suffered head injuries but is in stable condition. A photograph released by Lalbazar showed Poddar being pinned to the ground by one protester while another stomped on his head before colleagues rescued him.

In total, five police personnel were injured during the protest. Alongside Poddar, Assistant Sub-Inspector Jagabandhu Saha, 58, and home guard Chaitanya Mahanta, 30, were treated at the hospital’s trauma care center. Two other constables, Nimai Mondal, 44, of Tollygunge Traffic Guard, and Constable Mithun Ghosh, 38, of Shakespeare Sarani Police Station, were discharged after receiving preliminary treatment.

Authorities had issued warnings ahead of the ‘Nabanna Abhijan,’ cautioning that any violation of the high court’s directives would be met with strict action. Despite this, Saturday’s protest saw widespread disorder across the city. While seven FIRs have been filed in connection with the Kolkata incidents, no arrests have been made as of Sunday evening.

The Calcutta High Court reiterated on Friday that protesters were to maintain peace while police were responsible for ensuring law and order. The court’s caution followed concerns raised by trader groups from Howrah Maidan, MG Road, Brabourne Road, and CR Avenue, who feared disruptions based on last year’s protest, which left 47 police personnel injured and one officer permanently blinded.

When asked about comments made by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who allegedly used derogatory language towards him, Commissioner Verma declined to respond, stating the matter was under investigation.

This latest wave of clashes shows the escalating tensions between opposition political groups and law enforcement over protest activities, with both sides accusing the other of escalating violence.