West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday, 19 May 2025, issued a stern warning that attacks on police personnel during protests would no longer be tolerated in the state, following violence at Park Circus in Kolkata a day earlier. Adhikari, who also holds the Home Minister portfolio, visited the area and met injured police officers and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans, declaring the incident the 'first and last' attack on security forces under his government.

What Triggered the Park Circus Violence

Tension erupted in the Park Circus neighbourhood on Sunday afternoon after hundreds of residents gathered to protest the state government's alleged use of bulldozers to demolish what authorities described as illegal constructions. When police moved to clear the roads, the situation deteriorated sharply. Protesters alleged that police initiated a lathi-charge first; police, however, maintained that stones and bricks were suddenly hurled at them without provocation. Vehicles belonging to central forces were also reportedly vandalised during the unrest, prompting the deployment of additional security personnel.

What the Chief Minister Said

Addressing reporters after visiting the Deputy Commissioner's office in Park Circus, Adhikari made clear that his administration would pursue cases not merely to the point of arrest but through to conviction. 'Any political organisation or religious organisation can inform the police and organise their programme. But gathering people, raising religious slogans and pelting stones cannot be accepted. Stone pelting at police has stopped in Kashmir and Srinagar, and I think it will stop in West Bengal and Kolkata as well,' he said.

The Chief Minister also drew a sharp contrast with the previous state government, alleging that police had previously operated with 'tied hands and feet.' 'Now they are independent. The protectors of law will work according to law,' he asserted. He further instructed officers to act strictly according to law regardless of political affiliation, religion, or community — and said police should 'not have to think five times before taking action.'

Warning to Perpetrators and Grievance Channels Outlined

Adhikari issued a direct warning to those accused in the violence: 'Listen carefully, this should be the last such incident. I will not allow such incidents to happen again. If they happen again, there will be no stricter Police Minister than me.' At the same time, he urged citizens with complaints against police personnel to use official channels — escalating from the Officer-in-Charge to the Deputy Commissioner, then to Lalbazar headquarters, and ultimately to Nabanna, the state secretariat, if required.

Injuries and Solidarity Visit

Several police personnel and CRPF jawans sustained injuries during Sunday's clashes. Adhikari read out the names of the injured at the Deputy Commissioner's office and said he had personally enquired about their health. 'I saw how seriously they were injured. The way our entire force maintained law and order yesterday, prevented any major incident and protected people, I came to support them. I told them the government stands with them,' he said.

What Comes Next

The Chief Minister claimed Sunday's protest was 'planned' — a characterisation that is likely to intensify political debate in the state. He added that his government aims to take Kolkata Police to 'another level' within the next six months. With the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) now the operative legal framework, Adhikari signalled that prosecutions from the Park Circus incident will be pursued aggressively. How the administration handles the competing narratives — protesters' claims of police excess versus the government's account of premeditated stone pelting — will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.