Kolkata police arrests two more in NEET protest violence, total now 16
Kolkata, July 27: The Kolkata police on Monday arrested two more accused in connection with the violence that broke out during a protest against the NEET paper leak. With this, the total number of arrests in this case has reached 16.
According to police, the arrested accused have been identified as Waqar Azam (35), a resident of Karaya in Park Circus, and Javed Akhtar (32), a resident of Garden Reach, under the Nadial police station area. Investigating agencies allege that both played an active role in the violence and vandalism during the protest.
The police took the five arrested accused to Dorina Crossing in Esplanade on Monday, where a reconstruction of the incident was conducted. During this, the accused were escorted on foot to the scene under police protection. Police officials followed this process to confirm the sequence of events and the role of each accused.
The WB police officials stated that the investigation is proceeding based on video footage, digital evidence, and eyewitness accounts. If the involvement of others emerges, further arrests will be made.
Mohammad Afroz was among the five accused taken to the scene. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also mentioned Afroz’s name in the Assembly when referring to those involved in the violence. Police claim that the violence during the protest was premeditated.
The state government maintains that at least 70 people identified in the violence are neither students nor members of the CJP. They also had no direct connection to the NEET paper leak protest movement.
The police maintain that the investigation is being conducted impartially and that no one involved in damaging public property, attacking police officers, or engaging in violence will be spared, regardless of their affiliation with any organization.
In this case, the state government has initiated action under the recently enacted West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2026. The Chief Minister also warned of strict action under this new law against those responsible for the violence.
It is noteworthy that the Students Federation of India (SFI) and other left-wing student organizations had organized a protest march to protest the NEET paper leak and demand the resignation of the Union Education Minister. The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) also organized a separate demonstration in the city.
During the demonstration, several journalists were attacked, with shoes and bottles thrown at them. According to the police, attempts were also made to attack policemen on duty. A total of seven FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence at the Hare Street and Entally police stations.
