SSC teachers protest: Kolkata police chief orders probe, kick-cop taken off active duty
Times of India | 11 April 2025
Sub-Inspector Ritan Das is under investigation after a clash with SSC teacher protesters in Kasba, Kolkata. Das claims a lapse in concentration led to protesters snatching his lathi and assaulting him. The incident has divided the Kolkata Police, with some criticizing Das's actions as a breach of discipline, while others defend it as self-defense amidst a volatile situation. KOLKATA: Ritan Das, the Kasba police station sub-inspector who gave SSC teachers and protesters their biggest stick to beat the govt with on Wednesday, recorded his version of events on Thursday after police commissioner Manoj Verma ordered a probe into the Kasba incident. The officer will be kept off active duty till a final report is prepared by DCP (SSD) Bidisha Kalita and her team.
A 2010 entrant to the force, Das told his superiors that he suffered a momentary lapse of concentration as protesters snatched his lathi, smashed his glasses, punched him and separated him from his colleagues. However, Das's act has divided Kolkata Police, a force where colleagues are known to back each other through thick and thin. While one section pointed to the circumstances, calling it a temporary lapse given the entire chain of events, others said undermining the fact that the protesters were teachers and that they enjoy social respect could prove costly.
A section of Das's colleagues were extremely critical of his act, calling it a severe breach of discipline that "could have been avoided".
'Not all law-&-order assignments can have one solution'
Despite provocations, our training teaches us not to defend in a manner that flouts the rulebook. This essentially could have been avoided as many common Kolkatans have yet again begun comparing the incident with the RG Kar vandalism," said a serving OC.
Another section said perhaps popular sentiments associated with teachers were momentarily lost on the cop.
"There are certain sentiments that we need to value in this city. One is the respect for teachers. Not all law-and-order assignments can have one solution," said another officer.
Those calling it a "temporary lapse of concentration" claimed Das acted in self-defence. "With not even his lathi with him, he felt he would be attacked again. By then, he had been punched twice in his ears. He could have run away and let them vandalise the office, like at RG Kar, or retaliate and control the situation," said a colleague.
Das said he had nothing to say, adding "my seniors will brief you". Asked if he was given any order, he said, "You will have to ask my seniors."
KP top brass said at Lalbazar they were probing the incident but had not arrived at any conclusion. "A departmental inquiry has not been initiated against Das yet. A decision will be taken after we get reports from commanding officers," said an officer.
Amit Ranjan Bhuniya, the teacher who was reportedly kicked, denied protesters snatching Das's baton. "...cops arrived and told us to move out. Without any provocation, they baton-charged to disperse us..."