Addressing a press conference he held Monday at Nabanna — the state secretariat building in Howrah — Additional Director General of Police (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar claimed that a student leader involved in organising the protest met a prominent political figure at a five-star hotel in Kolkata on Sunday.

Without disclosing the identity of this “student leader”, Sarkar said there were “concerns about possible disruptions” during the protest march.

“We will bring this matter before the court and are collecting all necessary information to understand the purpose of this meeting,” the senior police officer said. “We have received information that some miscreants may attempt to create chaos during tomorrow’s movement. We are working to identify those who are instigating the event and urge everyone to avoid falling into their trap.”

He also cast doubts on the existence of organisers, the ‘Paschim Banga Chatra Samaj’. “We have conducted thorough checks and found that there is no organisation by this name. While they claim to be non-political, their social media presence suggests otherwise.”

“The organisers have been informed of the restrictions imposed near Nabanna. The police have banned gatherings of more than five people around the area,” the ADG said. Significantly, the Left and its student outfits have distanced themselves from the rally, which they claim is a “BJP-RSS ploy” to “detract from the people’s movement” over the rape and murder of a junior doctor.

The BJP has denied involvement in the rally.

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