6 FIRs filed after violence at NEET protest rally in Kolkata; police cite criminal infiltration
Synopsis
A NEET paper-leak protest in Kolkata turned violent on 25 July when criminals allegedly infiltrated a CJP-Left joint rally at Esplanade, injuring journalists and police. Six FIRs have been filed, with CCTV footage already identifying suspects — raising hard questions about how a student demonstration spiralled into a street battle.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata Police registered six FIRs following violence at a NEET protest rally on 25 July at Esplanade, Kolkata .
One FIR was filed suo motu at Hare Street Police Station ; five others stem from complaints of journalist manhandling.
Police say criminals infiltrated the student protest and are primarily responsible for the hooliganism.
A section of the crowd hurled bricks, stones, glass bottles, bamboo sticks, and shoes at police and media personnel.
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari visited injured journalists at SSKM Hospital and directed Kolkata Police to identify and arrest the miscreants.
CCTV footage review is ongoing and arrests are expected as the investigation progresses.
Kolkata Police have registered six FIRs following widespread violence during a joint protest rally held on Friday, 25 July in Kolkata, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the youth and students' wings of various Left parties against the NEET examination paper leak. Authorities have stated that several criminals infiltrated the student demonstration and were primarily responsible for the hooliganism that erupted that day.
How the FIRs Were Filed
Of the six FIRs, one was registered suo motu by the city police at Hare Street Police Station under the Central Division of Kolkata. The remaining five were filed on the basis of separate complaints relating to the alleged manhandling of media personnel — including journalists and photo-journalists — by a section of the protesters, several of whom were reportedly injured in the incident.
What Happened at Esplanade
The protest, initially convened by students' wings of Left parties, turned volatile on Friday afternoon when the Esplanade area descended into chaos. The CJP joined the rally after its request for a separate demonstration against the NEET paper leak was denied permission by the Kolkata Police. A section of the crowd hurled bricks, stones, glass bottles, bamboo sticks, and shoes at police personnel and media persons covering the event. Officers responded with baton charges and teargas shells to disperse the mob. Many journalists sustained serious injuries in the melee.
Police Statement on Criminal Infiltration
A senior city police official stated that video footage from the scene had been reviewed and that several known criminals had been identified among the student protesters. 'Several footages have already been examined. Several footages have been collected. Several criminals have also been identified to have assembled among the student protesters and they are mainly responsible for the rowdyism and hooliganism on Friday. In the meantime, cases have been registered with the police under multiple sections,' the official said.
Chief Minister's Response
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari condemned the violence strongly on Friday and personally visited SSKM Hospital to meet the injured journalists. He assured that strict legal action would be taken against all those responsible. In a social media post, Adhikari wrote: 'Several injured Journalists are currently undergoing treatment at SSKM Hospital. I visited the Hospital to meet the injured Journalists and personally enquired about their health. I have issued directions to ensure that they receive the best treatment possible. Strict legal action will be taken against all the culprits involved. I have asked CP @KolkataPolice to identify the miscreants and initiate legal action against them.'
What Comes Next
Police remain on high alert following the incident. The identification of suspects from CCTV and video footage is ongoing, with arrests expected as investigations proceed. The violence adds a fraught dimension to an already politically charged NEET protest movement that has seen demonstrations across multiple Indian states.
Point of View
Less manageable crowd, and the resulting chaos now risks overshadowing the genuine NEET grievance that sparked the protests. The criminal infiltration claim, while plausible given the footage cited, must be independently verified; it is a line authorities routinely deploy to deflect accountability from crowd-management failures. The attack on journalists is particularly alarming: if press freedom is the casualty of a press-freedom-adjacent protest, the political fallout will extend well beyond West Bengal.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were six FIRs filed by Kolkata Police after the NEET protest rally?
Kolkata Police filed six FIRs following violence that broke out during a joint NEET protest rally by the CJP and Left party student wings on 25 July at Esplanade. One FIR was registered suo motu by police; the other five were filed on complaints of journalists being manhandled and injured by a section of the protesters.
What triggered the violence at the Kolkata NEET protest?
The protest was initially organised by Left party student wings against the NEET paper leak. The CJP joined after its request for a separate rally was denied by police, swelling the crowd. According to police, criminals who had infiltrated the gathering instigated the violence, leading to baton charges and teargas deployment.
Who were the main targets of the violence at Esplanade?
Police personnel and media persons — including journalists and photo-journalists — were the primary targets. A section of the crowd hurled bricks, stones, glass bottles, bamboo sticks, and shoes at both groups. Several journalists sustained serious injuries and were admitted to SSKM Hospital.
What action has West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari taken?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited SSKM Hospital to meet the injured journalists and directed Kolkata Police to identify and prosecute those responsible. He also issued a social media statement condemning the attack and assured that strict legal action would be taken against all culprits.
What is the current status of the police investigation?
Police are reviewing CCTV and video footage from the Esplanade area and have reportedly identified several criminals who were present among the protesters. Arrests are expected as the investigation progresses, with cases registered under multiple sections of law.
